What is the functional Hallux Limitus?
Functional Hallux Limitus, or Hallux Limitus, is a relatively common condition where the range of motion (dorsiflexion) of your big toe joint is limited, making it difficult to perform activities that require bending or pushing off with your foot.
Essentially, the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, where your big toe (also known as the hallux) meets your foot, becomes stiff, inflexible and doesn’t move properly. This can cause pain and discomfort in the foot, changing your gait and impacting your ability to engage in certain activities like walking, running or jumping.
When does functional Hallux Limitus become Hallux Rigidus?
To understand the difference between functional hallux Limitus becoming Hallux Rigidus, it is important to understand the functioning of your big toe. A big toe with a normal range of motion means that you can lift your big toe to reach an angle of at least 65 degrees and bend it.
With functional Hallux Limitus, your big toe cannot move through its full range of motion, whether in movement or not. In other words, you will experience a lack of dorsiflexion with non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing activities.
Functional Hallux Limitus can evolve into Hallux Rigidus, which means your toe joint can’t move at all, and walking becomes either too painful or downright impossible.
This condition can be caused by many factors, including inflammation, breakdown and loss of the articular cartilage over time (osteoarthritis), poor foot alignment, or stressors to the MTP joint, like bunions or flat feet.
Unfortunately, functional Hallux Limitus can lead to more complications than “just” Hallux Rigidus. Some cases of toe pain can lead to bursitis, knee tendonitis, metatarsalgia, capsulitis, bursitis, and other foot problems. It is therefore recommended to consult a chiropodist, a professional foot health provider, to determine the cause of your big toe pain and ensure that it doesn’t worsen.
What are the causes?
There are several causes of big toe joint pain. A person with atypical foot anatomy, with elevated or very long metatarsal joint or first metatarsal bone, can develop functional Hallux Limitus.
Other typical causes are an injury or trauma to the big toe (a toe sprain or broken toe), overuse from repetitive pressure during high-impact sports or running, and poorly fitted footwear or wearing high heels too often.
Who is most at risk?
Functional Hallux Limitus can emerge in men and women of all ages; however, it is most common in people between 30 and 60.
Big toe joint pain can result from a genetic predisposition and a family history of foot problems. You are more likely to develop functional Hallux Limitus if you have experienced a lot of wear and tear from sports or other activities.
The symptoms of functional Hallux Limitus
Functional Hallux Limitus is an often-overlooked condition that can significantly impact your daily life. The main symptom is a pain in your big toe that can be mild or acute, depending on the state of your condition. Other symptoms can include stiffness and difficulty bending or straightening the toe. You may sometimes experience a clicking or popping sensation when moving your big toe.
Remember that symptoms of functional Hallux Limitus are not relegated only to the toe pain. You may develop corns or calluses on the inner side of your big toe, bunions, or even hammer or claw toes. It can also contribute to knee or back pain, ankle sprains, and changes in posture and the way you walk.
Treatment options offered by chiropodists for functional Hallux Limitus
How to treat Hallux Limitus? Luckily, there are a few non-invasive medical treatments your chiropodist can recommend, depending on the severity of your condition. This may involve icing, over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, therapeutic foot manipulation, custom-made foot orthotics, orthopedic shoes, and orthotic inserts. In addition, your chiropodist may suggest that you wear better-fitting shoes with stiff or rocker soles and a toe box made of soft materials.
Physical therapy and stretching exercises can also be beneficial, as they can help improve flexibility and strengthen your toes, foot and calf muscles.
In more severe cases, cortisone injections or surgery may be necessary. Treating Hallux Limitus with surgery will involve a discussion with your chiropodist and other healthcare professionals to determine if one of the following procedures is best for your specific condition: fusion (bones in your big toe are fused with a metal screw or pin), joint replacement, or removal of any bone spurs.
How long does it take to recover?
If you have mild symptoms, a conservative treatment approach may take several weeks to several months to improve your toe pain and other symptoms.
Need foot surgery? Your recovery time will be based on the type and complexity of the procedure and post-op rehabilitation. As a rule of thumb, however, recovery can take anywhere from many weeks to many months.
Contraindications of functional Hallux Limitus treatments
Researchers, chiropodists, and other healthcare professionals always look for new and improved ways to treat functional Hallux Limitus. Talk to your chiropodist if you want to understand the contraindications of any prescribed treatment.
How to treat Hallux Limitus?
Luckily, there are a few non-invasive medical treatments your chiropodist can recommend, depending on the severity of your condition. This may involve icing, over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, therapeutic foot manipulation, custom-made foot orthotics, orthopedic shoes, and orthotic inserts. In addition, your chiropodist may suggest that you wear better-fitting shoes with stiff or rocker soles and a toe box made of soft materials.
Physical therapy and stretching exercises can also be beneficial, as they can help improve flexibility and strengthen your toes, foot and calf muscles.
In more severe cases, cortisone injections or surgery may be necessary. Treating Hallux Limitus with surgery will involve a discussion with your chiropodist and other healthcare professionals to determine if one of the following procedures is best for your specific condition: fusion (bon
Luckily, there are a few non-invasive medical treatments your chiropodist can recommend, depending on the severity of your condition. This may involve icing, over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, therapeutic foot manipulation, custom-made foot orthotics, orthopedic shoes, and orthotic inserts. In addition, your chiropodist may suggest that you wear better-fitting shoes with stiff or rocker soles and a toe box made of soft materials.
Physical therapy and stretching exercises can also be beneficial, as they can help improve flexibility and strengthen your toes, foot and calf muscles.
In more severe cases, cortisone injections or surgery may be necessary. Treating Hallux Limitus with surgery will involve a discussion with your chiropodist and other healthcare professionals to determine if one of the following procedures is best for your specific condition: fusion (bones in your big toe are fused with a metal screw or pin), joint replacement, or removal of any bone spurs.
How long does it take to recover?
If you have mild symptoms, a conservative treatment approach may take several weeks to several months to improve your toe pain and other symptoms.
Need foot surgery? Your recovery time will be based on the type and complexity of the procedure and post-op rehabilitation. As a rule of thumb, however, recovery can take anywhere from many weeks to many months.
Contraindications of functional Hallux Limitus treatments
Researchers, chiropodists, and other healthcare professionals always look for new and improved ways to treat functional Hallux Limitus. Talk to your chiropodist if you want to understand the contraindications of any prescribed treatment.
Preventing functional Hallux Limitus
If your family history indicates a predisposition to functional hallux limitus—but you currently do not suffer from any symptoms—talk to your chiropodist about preventative measures. You can stave off progress by initially having your footwear and posture assessed to eliminate typical risk factors, especially excessive pressure on the joint of your big toe. You will want to wear shoes that fit and don’t pinch your toes. Avoid high heels; opt for flat shoes that offer good support.
In addition, the chiropodist may recommend switching up the sports or exercises you are accustomed to for those that put less pressure on your afflicted big toe. For example, low-impact activities, like swimming and cycling, are to be favored over running. Weight loss can also relieve pressure on all your foot joints.
Ensuring good foot health to avoid or mitigate the effects of functional Hallux Limitus should be a priority. Wearing comfortable shoes, avoiding pressure on your big toe joint, and adopting or maintaining a healthy lifestyle with low-impact exercises can go a long way in preventing this condition from putting a damper on your daily activities.
If you are worried about joint pain in your big toe and are concerned it may be functional Hallux Limitus, schedule a consultation with a chiropodist at FootNetwork today.
