Indication
Especially in the early phase of the disease with beginning movement restrictions in the big toe joint, therapy with a Hallux rigidus spring is recommended. In general, however, this treatment method is rarely used and is often used as a first therapeutic attempt after which surgery is still an option. The conservative treatment of hallux rigidus is extremely lengthy, so that today, under good surgical conditions, invasive therapy is chosen more often.
Therapy
A Hallux rigidus spring is a specially adapted orthopedic shoe insole that can be prescribed by the treating orthopedist. In this insole, more precisely in the core of the insole, there is a spring made of either metal or special plastic which is rigidly attached. This spring leads under the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe to the middle joint of the big toe.
The entire insole is placed in a shoe according to the patient’s choice and should be worn regularly from now on, if possible permanently. The Hallux rigidus spring is used to relieve the foot or the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe if there is already stiffening in the joint. This is intended to reduce pain for the patient when walking. The relief of the rolling movement also makes it possible to keep pressure away from the affected joint to a certain extent and thus slow down the progression of the disease process. The entire mechanical influence from the outside is minimized and, last but not least, a significant reduction in pain is achieved.
Prognosis
In its natural course, the hallux rigidus shows a progressive progression, i.e. it gets worse and worse over time. In milder forms of the disease, the Hallux rigidus spring can reduce pain and delay the progression, but in all probability it will not stop it. The lighter form of the disease will also change into a more severe form over time, so that further therapeutic measures should then be started. As a rule, the patient can then undergo a surgical procedure such as a cheilectomy (compare hallux rigidus, cheilectomy).
