Rockville Podiatry Center > Hallux Limitus (Stiff Big Toe Joint)

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Rockville, MD 20852
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Foot Problems

You are in Foot Problems > Deformities > Hallux Limitus (Stiff Big Toe Joint). Featured topics include:
Amniotic Band Syndrome • Bunions • Claw Toe • Clubfoot • Dysplasia • Enchondroma • Flat Feet • Gordon Syndrome • Haglund's Deformity • Hallux Rigidis • Hallux Limitus • Hallux Varus • Hammertoes • Jackson Weiss Syndrome • Mallet Toes • Metatarsalgia • osteomyelitis • Overlapping, Underlapping Toes • Peroneal Tendon Dislocation/Dysfunction • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction • Sesamoiditis • Spurs • Tarsal Coalition

Hallux Limitus (Stiff Big Toe Joint)

Hallux Limitus is a condition that results in stiffness of the big toe joint

It is normally caused by an abnormal alignment of the long bone behind the big toe joint called the first metatarsal bone. Left untreated, Hallux Limitus can cause other joint problems, calluses, and diabetic foot ulcers.

Painful bone spurs also can develop on the top of the big toe joint.

Anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections and/or functional orthotics are some of the common treatments for stiff big toe. Consult your physician before taking any medications.

Surgery may be prescribed if spurring around the joint becomes severe.

Records indicate that amputations and other forms of surgery due to infections of the feet, many brought about by diabetes, have been significantly reduced in recent years because of early diagnosis and treatment. Further reduction in this area is a goal of Healthy People 2010, a US Department of Health and Human Services campaign endorsed by podiatric physicians, to encourage understanding and application of preventive medical practices.