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Hallux rigidus surgery treats painful arthritis and stiffness in the joint at the base of the big toe. It refers to several possible operations rather than one technique. A surgeon may remove bone spurs, fuse the joint, or consider another joint procedure. The choice depends on the extent of damage and the movement the patient hopes to retain.
read more about hallux rigidus surgery ...Surgery may be considered when big toe pain continues despite nonsurgical treatment. Shoe changes, stiff soles, medication, or injections may be tried first. An examination and weight-bearing X-rays help show the amount of arthritis. The location of pain and remaining joint movement also guide the surgical choice.
A cheilectomy removes bone spurs and some bone from the top of the joint to make more room for movement. For severe arthritis, fusion removes damaged cartilage and joins the joint bones together. Selected patients may be considered for a procedure that places tissue between the joint surfaces or replaces part of the joint. Each operation has different effects on motion and pain.
Recovery depends on which operation is performed. A protective shoe or boot may be needed while the incision and bone heal. A cheilectomy generally has a shorter recovery than a fusion. The surgeon gives instructions about walking, activity, and follow-up.
Risks include infection, scarring, swelling, and pain that does not fully resolve. Arthritis can continue to progress after a joint-preserving operation. Fusion removes movement at the treated joint, while an implant can wear or fail. The surgeon explains the trade-offs for the proposed procedure.
No. Cheilectomy and other procedures may be options, depending on the extent of arthritis.
Yes. It removes obstructing bone spurs while leaving the joint in place.
The fused joint will no longer bend. Other joints in the foot still move.
Symptoms may improve with footwear changes and other nonsurgical care. Surgery is considered when those measures do not provide enough relief.
A Patient's guide to Arthritis of the Big Toe (Hallux Rigidus) with discussions on Cheilectomy and Fusion. Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust. https://www.rnoh.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-guides/arthritis-big-toe-hallux-rigidus-discussions-cheilectomy-and-fusion. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Cheilectomy: Surgery, Procedure Details & Recovery. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24130-cheilectomy. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Complications Associated with the Surgical Management of Hallux Rigidus. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34053574/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Hallux rigidus. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/5444234/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Hallux Rigidus. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556019/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.