Arthritis of the Big Toe Joint (Hallux Rigidus) - Treatment Ideas from Podiatrist Larry Huppin

Dr. Larry Huppin completed an exclusive fellowship in sports medicine, orthotics and biomechanics and has since become a leading national authority on these subjects. He has practiced podiatric medicine in Seattle for over 20 years and has a special interest in helping patients achieve complete relief of their ankle and foot problems without resorting to surgery.

We are located at:
Foot & Ankle Center of Washington
600 Broadway, Suite 220
Seattle, WA 98122
206-344-3808

[johnkordish]

I’m 50 yrs old and have been suffering with halux rigidus for about 15 + yrs and I’m in pain every day. I work for the railroad so we have to wear steel toe work boots and we have LOTS of uneven ground surfaces. I was going to have the surgery but I can’t afford the time off. Literally, , , I feel your pain, , as this pain makes walking and exercising difficult.

[IZR]

Thank you so much Dr. Huppin, for 6 months I've had excruciating toe pain, felt like it was broken. No confirmed diagnosis after labs, Xray, bone scan, etc.... What you share is exactly what my toe is experiencing. I can hardly move my toe, without major discomfort.

[sandraann]

I have Hallux rigidus and am still trying to get my custom orthotics to work. My podiatrist is still adjusting them but we are getting there. In the meantime, I bought a pair of Hoka Clifton 9s which have been great in taking the pressure off my big toes when walking cause they are a rocker type shoe. Hope this helps.

[riboid]

I have arthritis in my big toe too and its extremely sore if I walk for a while. I have to wear steel toe-capped boots in my job for walking on site, so that's even worse. I have though, bough some castor oil and stitched some cloth onto the inside and i have dropped castor oil onto that pad in my sock and I am wearing that to my bed. I have done it for 2 nights now, so lets see how that goes.

[cherie]

i am only 45 and very active, i am in so much PAIN. I have orthotics from a foot dr, ii wear Asics runners. I have had cortisone shots into my toes. i do not want fusion. i want to cut my toes off! i am at my last nerve with this pain. I have suffered for 8 years so far.

[Adr-utfu]

I have Hallux Rigidus, I’ve had it for 2 years. I just got surgery 2 weeks ago. I love wearing heels, Dr. do u think I’m going to be able to wear them again. Also what are the best brand of tennis shoes or sneakers. So I can purchase. Thank u

[andybaskin]

I’ve been using ginger juice in water to relieve the pain at night

[Cantetinza]

I don't know if I have this, but I do know that when I do yoga, I can't put too much wait in my right big toe.

[michellemwilliams]

My pain is on top of my big toe....is that the same thing

[beyzaunver]

Hello, I have a thesis on hallux rigidus and I produce insoles. For which stage of hallux rigidus and at what degree of dorsiflexion restriction should insoles be used? I hope I could explain. Sorry for my English :)

[janeroth]

Does turmeric and magnesium help? Does walking help?

[noozetaslam]

I am 44 and I too am having a lot of pain in my big toe, I too am very active and it really hurts!! I went to see my gp (physio) and she said it is arthritis and it is inflamed (hot) I would like to heal this naturally!!

[smrsmr]

Rigid orthotics created horrific Achilles’ tendon pain and back of knee strain.

[vonshango]

my hallux limitus/rigidus began overnight, came on with a case of mild acute gout (but without the swelling and i was able to get shoes on and limp around and even work with half strides (which isn't common to many gout-sufferers) but for 15+ months since bringing down uric acid, i can't walk far or long, can't jog, exercise of any kind that flexes/stretches the joint, not yoga/pushups/squats/lunges, etc. glad i decided it wasn't gout and had to be something else and looked up possibilities.

ive got morton's foot aka stubby big toes (longer 2nd toe) aka elevated metatarsal and all this started 120 days into a corrective insole (after years of foot/arch/heel pain and trying various insoles).

[danpats]

Would stem cells do anything for this issue? I hope medical science progresses to the point where cartilage can somehow be replaced in a joint.

[stationstation]

In most cases if you can immobilize the toe joint for a period of time, the inflammation will quiet down. Forget the ugly shoe in this video, use hockey tape fashioned to keep the toe from extending (flexing upward - plenty of diagrams on the internet on how to tape your toe properly) or a carbon fiber sheet you can put in your own shoe along with Valtaren topical anti-inflammatory gel and ibuprofen. Hit it with both barrels. Once you are on the mend, take steps to correct whatever was causing you the flare up in the first place (such as rolling into your arch, "pronation" or wearing horrible dress shoes). Break the cycle of inflammation, then correct root cause.

[m.madden]

Sorry Dr. Huppin. I later id observe your video re: DJD 1st MPJ. Thank you.

[Footankle]

Treatment Ideas for Arthritis of the Big Toe Joint (Hallux Rigidus) - with Podiatrist Larry Huppin

[papifeo.]

I thought omega 3 makes cartalege healthy?