Wide, soft shoes with a broad toe box and sufficient insole padding are recommended to make the patient more comfortable in athletic and nonathletic activities. Orthoses that support the longitudinal arch and redistribute the pressure areas may give some relief of symptoms. Such conservative management is often successful. Hallux Rigidus Degenerative arthritis in the first MTP joint associated with pain and diminished range of motion is known as hallux rigidus. Sports that include running or jumping may predispose an individual to this ailment.
Patients typically present with pain, loss of motion, and difficulty wearing their shoes.
Forced dorsiflexion of the great toe, which occurs in many sports, is very painful when this condition is significant. Another hallmark of this condition is restricted dorsiflexion caused by a ridge of osteophytes that can easily be palpated along the dorsal aspect of the metatarsal head. Athletes who have hallux rigidus should wear low-heeled shoes with adequate width and depth to accommodate the increased bulk of the joint. Patients may also benefit from using a Morton's extension to their orthosis or a rigid insole or shoe to reduce the stress across the symptomatic MTP joint. Such conservative measures are usually given a 6-month trial.