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Big toe arthritis
Osteoarthritis in the big toe is a condition causing the big toe joint to become painful and stiff - it can lead to swelling, tenderness and a grating sound.
What is big toe arthritis?
Big toe arthritis is usually the result of a previous injury, such as breaking a toe. It can also be the result of overuse — repetitive bending and stooping, for example. It tends to affect people over 50, but can occur in younger people. It can cause the big toe to become stiffened, swollen and painful, making walking difficult.
Need to know
Symptoms of big toe arthritis may include:
- pain in and around your big toe joint; this may be present all the time, or just when you walk
- pain when you pull your big toe up towards you
- stiffness; the big toe may become so stiff that you cannot pull it up at all
Your consultant will examine your feet and assess the big toe to determine its range of motion. X-rays will determine how much arthritis is present and evaluate any bone spurs or other abnormalities that may have formed. You may also require some blood tests to rule out causes of inflammation such as gout.
There are many surgical and non-surgical treatments. These might include:
Non-surgical
Surgical
- debridement and cheilectomy
- using keyhole or open surgery, bone spurs (which form in response to the arthritis) are removed to encourage motion
- joint replacement or interposition — there are several joint replacement options; these options are only sometimes indicated and your specialist can discuss whether these can help you
- fusion — this converts a stiff painful joint into a still but painless joint; because other joints in the foot continue to move, function can be excellent afterwards
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.