PATIENT
EDUCATION

Hallux rigidus, a type of progressive arthritis that leads to pain and stiffness in the big toe (MTP) joint, results in the loss of cartilage around the top portion of this joint due to the increased pressure as the toe bends upward. While it may take years to develop, it typically becomes symptomatic quickly. Common symptoms of this type of arthritis are:

• Swelling in the big toe
• Bone spurs along the top half of the big toe joint
• Pain in the big toe (often aggravated by activities involving upward movement of the toe)
• Stiffness in the big toe

Small joint replacement can sometimes be an option for reducing pain and improving mobility in the toes and is an alternative to fusion. Damaged bone and cartilage tissue will be removed and replaced with a plastic or metal artificial joint. This treatment can be particularly beneficial for patients who have a big toe that has been affected by trauma, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. As an extensively trained orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Tuvi Mendel offers this procedure to his patients on an outpatient basis.