If hallux rigidus is based on a disease such as hyperuricemia/gout, its therapy is the main focus.
General measures
- Shoes should be adapted to the individual foot shape and have a hard sole.
- Avoid shoes with high heels
- Aim for normal weight! Determination of BMI (body mass index, body mass index) or body composition by means of electrical impedance analysis and, if necessary, participation in a medically supervised weight loss program.
- BMI ≥ 25 → participation in a medically supervised weight loss program.
Conventional non-surgical therapy methods
- Infiltration therapy or therapeutic local anesthesia (TLA; injection of local anesthetics to nerves, muscles, or painful regions) with and without the addition of glucocorticoids – for pain relief and anti-inflammation.
Medical aids
- Insoles prescription
- To relieve the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe, the affected person should use rigid insoles (made of metal). They are individually fitted.Also relieving the pressure is a bunion roller, which is placed under the front part of the shoe. This results in an increase of five to ten millimeters in this area. A simultaneous increase in the heel creates a convex shape of the shoe sole, which facilitates rolling.
- Shoes with roll-off assistance at bunion level and external stabilization.
Regular checkups
- Regular medical checkups
Nutritional medicine
- Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis
- Nutritional recommendations according to a healthy mixed diet taking into account the age. This means, among other things:
- Daily total of 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits (≥ 400 g; 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit).
- Once or twice a week fresh sea fish, i.e. fatty marine fish (omega-3 fatty acids) such as salmon, herring, mackerel.
- High-fiber diet (whole grain products).
- Selection of appropriate food based on the nutritional analysis
- See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – if necessary, taking a suitable dietary supplement.
- Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.
Physical therapy (including physiotherapy)
- In the early stages: manual therapy – the mobility in the basic joint of the big toe can ideally be improved or maintained for a longer period of time
- Balneotherapy – Sulfur bath or radon bath.
- Electrotherapy – to improve blood circulation and relax the muscles.
- Hydrotherapy (water applications) to promote healing – foot baths, washes, rubs, exercise bath, alternating warm foot baths, treading water.
