Osteoarthritis of the big toe (Great osteoarthritis) | Cause, symptoms, prevention and treatment

Osteoarthritis can affect the big toe and cause both pain and reduced function. Osteoarthritis of the big toe involves joint wear in the big toe joint itself - and tends to worsen over time. It can also manifest itself in the form of a crooked big toe (hallux valgus); which in turn can lead to increased strain on the big toe. Many users exercises og hallux valgus toe supports (opens in new window) to counter further development.

Osteoarthritis can affect all joints in the body - but especially affects weight-bearing joints. When the cartilage inside the joints is broken down, bones can be exposed and rub against each other. With such rubbing, local swelling, joint pain and reduced joint mobility can occur - rubbing of this kind occurs in the later stages of osteoarthritis (read more: the 5 stages of osteoarthritis).

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TIP: Many people with osteoarthritis and arthritis like to use specially adapted compression gloves (link opens in new window) for improved function in hands and fingers. These are especially common among rheumatologists and those who suffer from chronic carpal tunnel syndrome. Possibly there is also toe pullers og specially adapted compression socks if you are bothered by stiff and sore toes - possibly hallux valgus (inverted big toe).

In the article, we will review:

• Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the big toe
• The cause of osteoarthritis of the big toe
• Self-measures against bigotry osteoarthritis
• Prevention of osteoarthritis of the toe
• Treatment of big toe osteoarthritis
• Diagnosis of osteoarthritis

In this article you will learn more about osteoarthritis of the big toe and the causes, symptoms, prevention, self-measures and treatment of this clinical condition.

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Symptoms of Osteoarthritis of the Big Toe

Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the big toe may vary according to the stage of the condition. However, even in early stages, laryngeal arthrosis can cause local tenderness, pain, and joint pain.

• Local pressure in the big toe
• Slight swelling of the joint
• Redness of the joint
• Big toe wear can cause hallux valgus (crooked big toe)
• Painful to step down on the front foot

It is also not unusual for you to experience aches and pains in the other toes as well as the arch of the foot  - due to the fact that osteoarthritis in the big toe can cause you to strain your foot differently when you stand and walk. As the osteoarthritis worsens, it is also possible that you experience a burning sensation inside the big toe itself - which may be due to inflammation inside the joint.

Pain in Big toe on Morningen or after rest

It is also true that a big toe with osteoarthritis can often be worse on the morning or after prolonged periods of rest. Joint wear can also lead to calcifications in the joint itself, which in turn can result in bending the toe being difficult - or even impossible. This condition is called hallux rigidus.

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Osteoarthritis can cause the big toe to change physical appearance

As is well known, osteoarthritis can lead to inflammation in the joint itself - and this can lead to local swelling. Damaged cartilage in the joint can cause bones to rub against bones - and the body will respond to this by trying to repair itself. By laying down extra bones. This provides a basis for calcifications and bone spurs.

You may not notice these calcifications and bone structures until you develop a large bump on the big toe. Hallux valgus. As the big toe joint becomes more and more calcified, you will also notice that it begins to point inwards and thus also press in towards the other toes - as shown in the illustration above.

Difficulty walking

Being able to bend your toe is actually an essential part of being able to run or walk properly. Because remember that the foot first lands on the heel, but then you shoot off with the big toe at the end of the movement. Hallux valgus and calcifications in the big toe can also lead to changes in how you strain it - which in turn increases the risk of developing worsening calcification and osteoarthritis.

Going differently can have major consequences for the rest of your movement pattern. Maybe you have heard of compensation problems? This means that other structures are also affected by the changes you experience in the big toe - in a negative way - which can result in, for example, knee pain, hip pain and an increased incidence of back pain.

Read more about this self-initiative: - Hallux Valgus Toe Support

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Cause: Why do you get osteoarthritis of the big toe?

The chance of osteoarthritis increases with age due to the usual wear and tear of the joint. As you get older, the body does not have the same repair ability as it had before - and thus it is not able to repair the cartilage inside the joint as effectively as when you were younger. Smaller cartilage in the joint also means that the remaining cartilage for more difficult working conditions due to the fact that there is less that keeps the joint open.

Some of the most common risk factors for developing osteoarthritis of the big toe include obesity, misalignment in the foot (for example, flat foot), and family history of joint problems. It has also been documented that fractures and injuries to the big toe lead to previous osteoarthritis.

Self-measures and Prevention of Osteoarthritis in the Big toe

There are several steps and preventative steps that can be taken to reduce the chance of osteoarthritis of the big toe. Researchers believe that the most important thing is to ensure that you have a healthy body weight (normal BMI). Elevated weight puts significantly more strain on both feet and knees - and in fact it is the case that 1 kilo more in the upper body means as much as 4 kilos increased load on the knees. This means that your knees are exposed to 40 kilos more load if you are 10 kilos over your ideal weight.

There are many other measures that can also help provide relief for the big toe - such as footrests and the like, but it is the keeping of weight that is the most important factor when it comes to preventing the development of osteoarthritis in feet and knees. So be careful with your diet and make sure you get plenty of exercise and regular exercise. Having a healthy relationship with exercise can also help keep aches and pains in muscles at bay, as it makes the muscles that relieve the joints stronger.

Other measures that can help prevent big arthritis include:

• Hallux valgus toe support.
• Keep control of your blood sugar - research has shown that those with type 2 diabetes have twice the risk of getting osteoarthritis.
• Insoles.
• Footwear with good cushioning and good space conditions for the toes.
• Avoid wearing high heels and tight shoes.
• Toe pullers.

Recommended Self-Help for Rheumatic and Chronic Pain

• Compression Noise (such as compression socks that contribute to increased blood circulation to sore muscles or specially adapted compression gloves against rheumatic symptoms in the hands)

Click on the image to read more about compression gloves.

• Mini tapes (many with rheumatic and chronic pain feel that it is easier to train with custom elastics)
• Trigger point Balls (self-help to work the muscles on a daily basis)
• Arnica cream or heat conditioner (many people report some pain relief if they use, for example, arnica cream or heat conditioner)

- Many people use arnica cream for pain due to stiff joints and sore muscles. Click on the image above to read more about how arnica cream can help relieve some of your pain situation.

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Treatment of Osteoarthritis in the Big toe

There are several treatments that can provide you with relief and functional improvement. What you should start with today are daily strength and stretching exercises to maintain functionality, strengthen the foot blade, as well as enhance blood circulation.

In this video you can see a suggestion for exercises that you can do daily. The exercise exercises below are especially designed to prevent and treat tendon injuries under the foot (plantar fascia), but are also suitable for strengthening the foot in general.

VIDEO - 6 Exercises against Plantar Fascitis

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Surgical operation: Stiffening of Big toe

In the most severe cases of osteoarthritis of the big toe, it may be appropriate to stiffen the big toe. This is a procedure that involves a high risk of tendon damage and chronic pain, as it involves physically scraping out the remaining cartilage in the joint and then using a screw or steel plate to lock the entire large joint. However, not being able to bend the big toe can naturally lead to extensive compensatory pain in the knees, hip and back due to a changed movement pattern.

Physical Treatment

Manual treatment, including joint mobilization and muscular work, has a well-documented effect on osteoarthritis and its symptoms. Physical treatment of the feet will often be performed by a licensed podiatrist, physiotherapist or modern chiropractor. In osteoarthritis can also laser therapy be a good treatment measure.

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Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis in the Big Toe

Osteoarthritis is often diagnosed through a combination of history-taking, clinical examination and imaging (usually X-ray). To see the extent of joint wear, you must take an X-ray - as this shows bone tissue in the very best way. Such an imaging study will be able to visualize calcifications and cartilage damage.

If you are bothered with symptoms that may be reminiscent of osteoarthritis then we suggest that you bring it up with your GP for a review. Finding out how large the extent of the osteoarthritis itself is can also give a clear indication of what you should do yourself of self-measures and prevention. But as we always say - prevention is always better.

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Summarizeringing

Osteoarthritis can be curbed with proper measures and training. We especially recommend that you start with daily stretching and strength exercises for your feet if you want to improve their functionality and strength. As mentioned earlier, stronger feet will be able to relieve the joints of the toes in a better way than a weak foot arch and foot muscle.

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