Introduction
This section explains more about the cause of a stiff big toe (hallux rigidus) and how it can be treated using minimally invasive techniques.
Who needs MIS for Stiff Big Toe?
What is a stiff big toe (hallux rigidus) and why does it develop?
The big toe is a joint which moves up and down, known medically as dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. Normal movement involves being able to flex the toe upwards to approximately 75 degrees and downwards to around 25 degrees. However, many people develop a stiff big toe with limited movement, called hallux rigidus. Arthritis is the most common cause of this condition and the joint becomes increasingly painful, swollen and stiff.
How does it work?
Surgery for a stiff big toe
The established surgery for people with a moderate degree of hallux rigidus is called a cheilectomy. It involves removing the ridge of arthritic bone (medical term is osteophyte) from the upper surface of the joint. This ridge is often noticed by patients as a ‘lump’ on top of the joint (sometimes called a dorsal bunion) and can cause pain when wearing shoes. The aim is to eliminate pain and increase movement.
Minimally invasive surgery for stiff big toe (cheilectomy)
LFAC is recognised as being the leader in the UK for establishing minimally invasive surgery in the foot and in finding safe and effective ways of applying keyhole techniques to established procedures normally undertaken as open surgery. The cheilectomy is very amenable to keyhole techniques.
The surgeon starts by making a single incision just to one side of the big toe. The incision is the same diameter as a pencil lead (about 3mm) compared with the five centimetre incisions used in open surgery. Through this incision, the surgeon is able to create a little pocket over the ridge of arthritic bone. Then, the ridge is removed, using a high speed burr, which is a thin, narrow surgical drill. The joint is then meticulously flushed out to remove any bone debris. The procedure takes place under x-ray guidance. The incision is so small there is no need for stitches.
How long will it take to recover?
What sort of recovery can I expect after minimally invasive big toe surgery?
The patient can walk straight away and can remove all the bandages at 24 hours after surgery (simply leaving a small sticky plaster in place). Patients are normally able to wear their own shoes again three to four days after surgery and are encouraged to move the arthritic toe immediately. Most people find that they can return to normal daily activity within a few days of surgery.
“Having had an open cheilectomy 15 years ago on one toe and a minimally invasive cheilectomy recently on the other toe, I wish I could have had minimally invasive surgery on both toes. The results are marvellous.”
