Hallux Rigidis (Stiff big toe)

[Dave Neve]

Hello

I suffer from this but decided not to have the operation for various reasons. So I've learned how to train around it.

YouTube suggested the following video to me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML1Yw46EmiU

and it coincides with my own experience on exercises that make it worse.

You can also do push ups on your knees and planks with your feet on a rung (the rung should have a mat on top of it) or on a bench.

Any machine where your foot impacts the treadmill etc. also makes it worse, whereas machines where your feet never leave the pedals is better.

Finally, carbon soles are great and on Ali Express, you can pick them up at around half the price of those on Amazon.

Even if you don't suffer from this condition, think that you might in 10 or 20 years, so start some prevention now.

Does anyone else who has Hallux Rigidis have any tips?

Regards

[rleeden]

I have also suffered from Hallux Rigidis for some time. In my case, I did have an operation a few years ago. I opted for the minimal Cheilectomy option (involves removing bone spurs and tissue), which initially was quite successful. But over time, I find that my condition returns if I'm not careful with the type and amount of exercise I do.

This is in fact why I started rowing again after a break of almost 30 years. I used to run 4 or 5 times a week, but I now limit it to two runs of no more than a total of 15km a week. This seems to prevent my Hallux Rigidis from flaring up. Rowing initially was also causing me some slight concern, but I now wear my cycling shoes when rowing. These shoes have extremely rigid soles, and this limits the movement in my toe sufficiently to prevent issues. The only time I did struggle slightly when rowing was when I partook in the April Fool's challenge (meaning rowing a total of 120km over 15 days).

I also use insoles, but mine were custom made by a podiatrist. They've lasted surprisingly long, but I think I should be looking at getting some new ones soon.

Overall, I am able to manage my exercise to prevent problems, and have got better at spotting any potential flare-ups - rather than my old attitude of "It'll be OK - it's not too bad, I can get away with doing a bit more!"

[woodsy5]

Hello,

I have had this condition unfortunately since my early 20s (now 44). Mine started when I was a track and field athlete doing sprint and 400m hurdles. I think the trigger was repeated trauma to my right big toe from hitting hurdle as this was my trailing leg and my foot was a bit lazy. Plus the repeated actions of being on my toes. I had physio/taping initially.
At 22 I had a cheilectomy (removal of bone spur) with the hope I could get back to track and field. Personally I don't think it did a great deal and the nature of osteoarthritis (which is what HR is) is it is a degenerative condition, so mine has grumbled on for these years. To complicate, I also have gout which is well controlled now, but I do wonder if I may have had a few episodes of gout in my HR big toe also.
I've seen a couple of foot and ankle surgeons within the last 2 years but unfortunately as I have also basically fused the smaller joint in the big toe (? gout I don't know), they wouldn't offer me a fusion procedure.
Mine has good and bad days. It flares up if I have been on my feet a lot. If it's bad I just use ibuprofen and it settles down. I try to get shoes/trainers with rigid soles and a wider toe box, and wear orthotics which help a bit, but they are a bit old and worn! I find Under Armour trainers are good for me, have also used Hoka's.
It is a bit of a nuisance condition but I have learned to live with it. I can still jog but my foot doesn't thank me for it. I tend not to dorsiflex my toe too much on the ergo either.
There are a lot of people I have read about who have had a lot of success with fusion surgery (this fixes the joint stiff) and have gone back to walking/hiking/even running marathons! If yours get to the stage where an op is thought to be an option.

All the best!

[Dave Neve]

Hello

I decided against the most radical surgery (the only procedure that might work) as the recovery time is too long and even if I get my left foot fixed, I reckon that any running etc. would just make my right foot worse and then I'd need another operation.
So I tend to cycle a lot instead of walking, even to the local shops, to avoid making it worse.

I think I made the right decision in the circumstances, as 2 x 6-9 months without any serious sport would have cracked me up completely.