Big Toe Pain

Are you suffering from a stiff and painful big toe. Is it limiting your ability to exercise and do the activities that you want to do. You may be affected by a condition known as hallux rigidus. Hallux rigidus is a condition in which the big toe joint ( aka the first metatarsophalangeal joint) develops arthritis. Arthritis is basically where your cartilage is rubbed out. The cause of this can be an old fracture or certain sports activities. I have many soccer players that are affected by Hallux rigidus and big toe pain . This leads to stiffness in the toe. Your big toe needs about 80 degrees of motion for you to function well. Many people can get away with less . Once you drop below 40 degrees of motion the pain starts. Women in can not fit into shoes with heels as it requires the joint to be able to bend.

Big Toe Pain

Now there is a great new option available called the Cartiva implant. Cartiva has been shown in multiple studies to increase range of motion , reduce pain and improve functionality. Cartiva surgery takes 20 to 30 minutes and you get to go home that day. The implant acts as new cartilage, this allows for natural motion. The advantages of cartiva over other metallic implants are less bone resection and it works great in people with metal allergies. Most people that have the cartiva implant surgery for big toe pain can be back in shoes within 2 weeks. One of the other great hings about it is that you can put weight on your foot the day of the surgery. With quicker recovery times and less invasive surgery, my patients are getting back to their activities pain free. Do not settle for a fusion of the big toe. Life is motion. Let us regain that motion today.