If you are an athlete who is experiencing pain in your big toe, you may have what is called hallux limitus, which is also called turf toe. If this condition is not properly treated, it can lead to what is called hallux rigidus, which is when the toe worsens from stiffness to the complete inability to bend the toe at all. As you can imagine, this condition can make you unable to participate in your sport, particularly if it worsens. Here's what you need to know if you have pain and stiffness in your big toe.
Hallux Limitus & Hallux Rigidus
These conditions can be caused by degenerative arthritis, from overuse, or from injury. Sometimes, inherited traits in the foot shape or the way you walk can also cause the conditions. It happens when the articular cartilage in the metatarsophalangeal joint, which is the joint that connects your big toe to your foot, breaks down.
When this cartilage breaks down, it causes bone to bone contact, which in turn causes pain and inflammation in the joint. When this happens, there will be loss of space and bone spurs can grow. The worse the condition gets, the more rigid and painful the big toe becomes. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help.
Diagnosis & Treatments
Of course, any time there appears to be something wrong with a bone, x-rays are ordered so the doctor can see what's going on. In addition to x-rays, your doctor will test the range of motion of your toe, to see how far you are able to bend your toe up and down and how much pain you are experiencing when you attempt these movements.
Treatment for hallux limitus and hallux rigidus depends on the severity of the damage to the joint. If the damage is limited, anti-inflammatory pain relievers can help relieve the pain. Ice packs or contrast baths can also help with pain relief, but pressure on the joint will need to be reduced by wearing special footwear in order to stop the condition from progressing and the toe becoming unable to bend. The footwear recommended for this problem has a rocker bottom sole so you don't have to bend your toe when you walk.
When the condition is moderate or severe, surgery may be necessary, which can involve an incision to remove the bone spurs and some of the bone. For severe conditions, surgery can be done to either fuse the joint together or to replace the joint entirely. Speak with your podiatrist, or foot doctor, for more information.
Share25 November 2019
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