Hallux rigidus and its treatment

: Hallux rigidus is a rather frequent, painful limitation of movements in the metatarsophalangeal joint of the great toe caused by arthrosis. A mechanical limitation of dorsal flexion due to osteophytes frequently causes a progressive plantar flexion with compensatory hypermotility in the interphalangeal joint. Therapeutic measures with technical modification of shoes and physical therapy are often insufficient and operative therapy aims at arthrodesis or remobilisation of the great toe's metatarsophalangeal joint.