Hallux rigidus

What is Hallux Rigidus?

Hallux rigidus is arthritis (pain and stiffening) of the main joint of the big toe in the ball of the foot. It is due to a wearing out of the joint surfaces. Sometimes only the upper part of the joint is affected, and the rest of the joint is undamaged. In other people the whole joint is worn out.

What are the causes of this condition?

The main joint of the big toe is under significant stress when walking and this may be why, in some cases, it is prone to osteoarthritic changes. With each step, a force equal to twice your body weight passes through it. Hallux rigidus can also be caused by a previous injury or another medical problem such as gout.

What are the symptoms?

• Pain in the big toe joint
  • This can be present for some people, whenever they walk or even at rest, but in others it only occurs when they turn the big toe up as far as it will go.

• Stiffness
  • Stiffness, the ability to turn the big toe upwards is lost, although it can usually be turned downwards. Sometimes it gets so stiff it points downwards and cannot be laid flat on the floor.

• A bony bump
  • A bony bump (“osteophyte” or “dorsal bunion”) may develop on top of the joint. The bump may rub on the shoes.

• Pain
  • Because of the painful big toe some people tend to walk on the side of the foot. This may produce pain in the ball of the foot or down its outside border.

• Bunion type deformity
  • Sometimes the big toe moves and rubs on the adjacent toes (forming a bunion type deformity) towards the second toe, and the toes may rub together.