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Foot

Hallux Rigidus
Osteoarthritis of the Big Toe Joint

Damage to the joint cartilage can have various causes: gout, inflammatory processes within the joint such as rheumatoid arthritis, or consequences of injuries (sports injuries).

Over time, these changes lead to painful restricted movement in the big toe joint. The joint can often become deformed. This then leads to the formation of bothersome bone growths (osteophytes) around the joint surface.

When is surgery needed?

Should conservative measures (such as special insoles, orthopaedic shoe modifications, injection therapy, anti-inflammatory and analgesic medication, etc.) prove insufficient, surgical intervention may be beneficial.

What happens during surgery?

Various surgical methods are employed, depending on the severity of the osteoarthritis:

  • Joint Preservation: The bone remodelling is removed (cheilectomy) and, if necessary, supplemented with a shortening osteotomy of the 1st metatarsal bone.
  • Joint Fusion
  • Joint Resection: A part of the joint surface of the big toe is removed; this method is only still applied in specific cases.

Aftercare

Post-operative care depends on the surgical method and is ultimately determined by the surgeon. For example, after joint preservation surgery, mobilisation in a post-operative shoe is permitted for approximately 4-5 weeks with full weight-bearing.