Seattle podiatrist Larry Huppin explains the causes and best treatment options for arthritis of the big toe joint (hallux rigidus). He’ll provide a review of what studies show to be the best treatment options and also provide self-treatment suggestions for big toe joint arthritis.
If you are in the Seattle area appointments can be made from our website at
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
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Hallux Rigidus I was diagnose about 15 months ago. My physio told me I shoukd frequently pull my toe up using bands to exercise it. Is this incorrect advice. Its definitely affecting my gait
Unfortunately I can't use anything Asprin based because I have Asthma. The pain is bad when I walk, but I can't stop walking. Will I cause further damage? I try to stretch and bend the toe, but this hurts as well. Should I keep tryingor stop the exercises?
But wouldn’t wearing stiff shoes make the toe completely unable to move thus creating even more stiffness and lack of motion? Isn’t the entidote to arthritis continued mobility of the joint???
Just started having pain in the last few weeks initally triggered by lunges but now all the time. What's the best course for recovery? I assume rest, getting a proper arch support ASAP, and easing back into activity if it's pain free.
I have had pain in toe for past almost two months. Have been to two podiatrists. Recieved two injections and still pain. Requested an xray and it states mild degenerative changes in the big toe and a small bunion. Pain is off the charts and walking or even sitting, foot still hurts. Have read about many that have gotten the fusion and their feet are worse than before surgery. 😢😢
Hi Doctor , my age is 44 years and have Polio to my Right Leg(PPRP@RLL). Have Equinus deformity. My Right Big Toe MTP Joint got Arthritis and stopped me walking. I balance and walk on the Big Toe so doctors said that can't do fusion. For my condition is there any alternative treatment to keep me walking. Thanks 🙏
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!!
I was just diagnosed with this
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
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 🙂
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.
can’t see shit thanks to the bullshit advertising watermark.. dumb arse doc!
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.
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.
I thought omega 3 makes cartalege healthy?
Thanks you
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.
I’ve been using ginger juice in water to relieve the pain at night
Does turmeric and magnesium help? Does walking help?
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.
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.
Home remedy
My pain is on top of my big toe….is that the same thing
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.
Thank you 😊
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.
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).
Rigid orthotics created horrific Achilles’ tendon pain and back of knee strain.
Sorry Dr. Huppin. I later id observe your video re: DJD 1st MPJ. Thank you.