Hallux Rigidus, self-manage or clinical interventions

ChrisG9
ChrisG9 Member Posts: 21
edited 27. Jan 2025, 13:42 in Living with arthritis

Hello

I've got quite severe Hallux Rigidus in my right foot, with a couple of bone spurs at the bottom of the toes. After many years running, I am now limited to walking which is uncomfortable even in shoes that have specialised insoles made by my local hospital.


For the last year, I have attempted to self-manage the pain by adapting what I do, epsom salt baths, upping the turmeric etc, yet now at a point where I am considering more clinical interventions. I have been pondering if this would help with my symptoms, yet don't want to make my situation worse, increase the pain and lesson my mobility.


I guess I'm asking if anyone has been in this situation, what made them decide to go down the clinical route and if this helped matters.

Thanks


Chris

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Comments

  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 1,876

    Hello @ChrisG9

    I can quite understand your need to get as informed as possible before making any decisions about your Hallux Rigidus.

    I hope this helps I've done a quick search for you with all the threads on the condition:

    https://community.versusarthritis.org/search?domain=all_content&query=hallux%20rigidus&scope=site&source=community

    Best of luck and please if you don't mind posting to let us know how you get on it might help someone else in your position in the future.

    Ellen.

  • Daydreamer123
    Daydreamer123 Member Posts: 18

    Hi I've got a similar problem and the doctor has suggested surgery,hope you get help soon

  • Daydreamer123
    Daydreamer123 Member Posts: 18

    Hi have you looked at wide fit trainers at all ,my podiatrist suggested them but not sure where to find them

  • Hazy
    Hazy Member Posts: 7

    If you decide to go down the surgery route, I would recommend asking for a joint replacement, if suitable for you, and not fusion. Especially if you're used to being active.

    I had my big toe fused last year and wish I'd had a joint put in, instead.

    (I was similar to you, running then having to give up etc…)

    The fused joint reduces the range of movement and stride you're able to take.

  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 1,876

    Just a quick welcome to @Hazy on behalf of the moderating team.

    It's great to have you on board and always lovely when a new member's first post is to help someone else.

    I hope you'll find the forum useful for yourself too.

    Best wishes

    Ellen.

  • ChrisG9
    ChrisG9 Member Posts: 21
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/726021#Comment_726021

    Yes, I have some wide easy to put on trainers with hospital made insoles 😊

  • ChrisG9
    ChrisG9 Member Posts: 21
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/726329#Comment_726329

    Thanks Hazy, are you given an option when seeing the consultant?

  • Hazy
    Hazy Member Posts: 7

    I think it will depend on which part of the country you are in. I'm Somerset and was given a choice of private hospital or NHS. I chose private, purely for ease of travel and parking. The consultant asked if I wanted fused or joint. I was expecting to just be offered fused, so had that in my mind before I went in. STUPIDLY, I thought, "I dont want to cost the NHS extra money. Mum had the same fusion and she was fine." (Big difference between me and mum was, she's not a person that walks far and I do on average 15,000 - 20,000 steps 5x days a week. So didn't think it through properly)

    I really wish I'd had a joint put in.

    If I were you, whoever you end up seeing, ask for a joint and highlight how active you are and need to continue to be.

    I really hope you have success going forward

  • ChrisG9
    ChrisG9 Member Posts: 21

    Thanks for your advice and support.

    I decided to pursue a clinical route and after seeing a consultant, I'm hopefully having toe fusion at the end of October

  • thenails
    thenails Member Posts: 1

    I have had it for around 8 years. By far the best thing I ever did was have custom insole made. They change the way your foot spreads and takes the strain off the join. It is important you still move the join as much as you can. These insoles are made from carbon fibre and last years. When I had a flare up I had cortisone injection and got new insoles and it is no longer bothersome. The problem is getting the joint moving again can be agony. This is why I had cortisone as it helped while I got back.

    As for wide shoes. Look at Fitville on line not expensive. However the insoles were the number one difference.

  • ChrisG9
    ChrisG9 Member Posts: 21

    Thank you, I had some orthotic insoles custom made by the NHS yet the pain persisted (although less so)

    I had toe fusion and some bone shaving 13 weeks ago and I'm starting to get my normal walking gait back. It certainly feels less painful than before fusion and I'm interested if I can exercise more as the healing continues

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