Hallux rigidus is one of those problems that does not present a lot of options for management. The first metatarsophalangeal joint is such an important joint for forward progression and our need for the pivot there. The lack of motion at that joint has a lot of consequences mainly due to the compensations that the body has to make. The most common cause of hallux rigidus is osteoarthritis. It tries to get the flexion it requires in the midfoot when it should be stable, the knee and ankle remains more flexed during gait and this causes a number of postural problems. Those with hallux rigidus tend to abduct during propulsion to roll of the side of the foot. Apart from management of the painful symptoms of hallux rigidus, the only satisfactory treatment is to restore the pivot. This can only be done with some sort of rocker on the shoe for the foot to pivot over or through a surgical implantation of a joint spacer for hallux rigidus. A surgical fusion is also common, especially with the toe in a slightly flexed position, but there are gait changes following hallux rigidus surgery.
Related posts:
Comments on this entry are closed.