Abstract
Hallux rigidus is a frequent cause of traumatology consultations, and it is the most frequent osteoarthritis of the foot. It presents clinically with pain and loss of movement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, with an impact on the quality of life of the patient. The treatment starts conservatively, and is successful in half of the cases, with measures such as modification of footwear, weight management and orthosis designed to limit the movement of the metatarsophalangeal joint. The surgical treatment in patients with mild to moderate hallux rigidus focuses on removing the dorsal osteophytes with a cheilectomy, which can be associated with a proximal phalanx or first metatarsal osteotomy, which improves the range of motion towards a less painful arch. In high-grade hallux rigidus, the most recommended treatment is still arthrodesis, which provides pain relief at the cost of altering gait biomechanics0 given the acquired stiffness. Different arthroplasties (resection, interposition or prosthetic) significantly improve pain without sacrificing mobility, and are a more physiological alternative to preserve the biomechanics of the foot in selected patients.
Keywords
hallux rigidus - dorsal bunion - cheilectomy
