I have been having lots of pain in both of my big toe joints due to arthritis and have been exploring my options. I've tried PT but it seems to not really be effective for toes. I am currently trying prolotherapy and PRP, which seems to have made a small improvement (I can stand/walk for slightly longer periods of time). I am wondering if anyone else is dealing with this condition and what conservative strategies you've tried?

Hello Lynn,
I have osteo arthritis in most of my joints. The big toe joints are a disaster. So fused and knobby that doctor wanted to fuse the joint surgically so it is not mobile. . My pcp doctor said no that my walking would be worse, so I did the opposite. The ortho doctor wanted to keep it from moving. When they isolate a joint, basically they give up on it. My son is a PT so I went that route. I honestly pushed through some real pain to get the joint to move at all. Believe it or not, even though they say the joint is still destroyed, I can walk with minimal pain. I did the PT and did it in excess, also walked the beach to make it move. I don't know if it is the right thing to do, but it worked for me. To start with I had no mobility of that joint at all. I can move the toe now. Let me know how you do. It does hurt that arthritis, I know it does. ginnie

Thanks so much for your reply Ginnie! So you basically pushed past the pain and continued to move and use the toes as much as possible? Do you have bone spurs/osteophytes? I'm amazed you have minimal pain because for me they are astoundingly my most painful joints (and ALL the other ones hurt quite a bit) for such a small part of the body I guess its because 50% of the body weight is centered on each big toe during push off.

I have heard that if you're able to put up with the pain of aggressive arthritis long enough (a few years usually), eventually the body adjusts and experiences much less (or even no) pain even if there is no cartilage left. I'm not sure how much this theory is rooted in fact vs anecdotal evidence though.

Yes, I did push past pain. I was extremely angry at my toe joint too. Hurt like crazy. I used Lidocane patches cut up which helped. Isolation of any joint is giving up on the joint. When My son told me that, well I did get out and walk the beach, ouching but not agony. Also used Hydrocodone at times, but by no means regular.
Don't know if I have bone spurs, the entire joint is big swollen looking and was rigid. It does move now without pain for the most part. Wish I knew if this approach would be good for you. Only you can know for sure. My joint and ankle put me in a wheelchair for a time, and I was not happy at all. Didn't want to give into that when I had other medical issues as well. Hope you find what works for you. Ask about lidocane patches with your doctor, may help enough that you can begin some movement. ginnie

I use Salonpas for my arthritis in my feet.

either the Original Patches (you can cut them to fit your toes),
or the new Salonpas Deep Relieving Gel...you rub this into the tops of your feet and the medications penetrate like a patch.
This new gel is very strong and very effective. I got mine at WalMart...at a nice affordable price.

Thanks for your response Ginnie! So pain patches helped you get through pushing past the pain during PT? And I'm assuming you don't need them now, right?

I agree - fusing the joint should be a complete last resort. I was thinking of trying arthrodiastasis (where they distract the joint), but am very hesitant to start any sort of surgery.

Thanks - will look for this! I have voltaren gel as well but that's a Rx.

Has anyone ever tried a rigorous joint mobilization procedure like NZ therapist Gary Moeller's hallux rigidus treatment (google it for a youtube video)? It looks promising but I haven't been able to find anyone local who feel confident attempting it.

Hello ivylynn,

I too have the Hallux Rigidus. It's in my left big toe and it was the start of my osteoarthritis journey.

Mine started in 1999. Dr's have put cortisone shots in it. I have had surgery on it to clean out the arthritis. They too talked to me about having surgery to fuse it permanently.

I refused. Said that since the big toe is our stablizer in standing, I didn't want the risk of making my walking worse. I have had pain and issues in walking as I tend to walk on the side of my foot causing my spine to be out of alignment.

The big toe gives me great pains sometimes and since 1999, I have developed OA in most of my major joints.

I go to a chiropractor for misalignments in my neck and spine and it seems to help in my walking. While there is no cure for OA, I find that my chiropractor helps me more than the meds the dr's want to give me.

I am on pain and nerve meds, (ultram and neurontin), as another poster had said the pain relieving gels like biofreeze and salonpas does help.

I now wonder if I had my toe taken care of back in 99, would I have had all this trouble with my joints elsewhere now in my 50's. UGG

What I found is that you have to find what works for you, trying the trial and error route and or the good old stand by .... doing nothing and live with it.

My pain level is high so I am not the norm here like most people. Not sure if it a good thing or a bad thing, lol.

Praying that you find relief for your pain and know that we are here for you even if it just to vent.

God Bless You and here is a for you!