Foot Pain Diagnosis

What it feels like

What it is

Hallux Rigidus---

Stiff Big Toe

Left- Healthy  Right--Unhealthy

Actually, my doctor called it a classic case (pain in the big toe, pain in the joint, and pain betwee 1st and 2nd metatarsals). I thought it was just old age, but he said it was actually arthritis.  

I wish I had a copy of the X-ray. It was really spectacular. The joint had a bone spur that folded in on itself.

There's like a hundred treatments for this, including replacement of the joint. Fortunately, even though it hurts so much I occasionally am in intense pain, he says I have a mild case. He prescribed steroids for 12 days. If that doesn't work, then before Lake Placid, he'll give me a cortisone shot to get me through the week. If it gets worse after that, I'll consider surgery.

Temporarily, he told me to put stiff insoles in to keep my big toe from bending at all. See, that's why I go to my hockey coach podiatrist. He has practical advice too.

Woohoo! At least I'll have an excuse to avoid the Christmas show if I have to have surgery!!!