By Loren Colon DPM, FACFAS

A stiff and painful big toe can knock you off your feet. The big toe may be small, but its role in our lives is enormous. Just imagine how hard it would be to walk, run, squat, bend over, rise up on the balls of the feet, or simply keep your balance without the aid of your big toes.

If your have a painful big toe, then you are most likely suffering from a condition known as hallux limitus. This injury is common in dancers and athletes and is a form of degenerative arthritis known as hallux limitus that can develop over time at the joint by the base of the big toe. It is a condition that is characterized by decreased range of motion and pain at the big toe joint. Some other causes of this stiff big toe include turf toe, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and even gout.

Some treatment options or modalities that can help to reduce this type of pain include injection therapy, oral pain medication, orthotics, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgical management when conservative therapy fails.

It’s important to see a podiatrist in the disorder’s early stages. If you wait until bone spurs develop or the big toe is completely stiff or hurts all the time, restoring function can be more difficult.

Don’t let your stiff big toe slow you down! Schedule your appointment today with your Atlanta podiatrist at American Foot and Leg Specialists.