Just wondering if anyone also suffers with this brutal condition. I’ve just developed it over the last year or so and now I can’t run without significant pain and side effects to my knee and lower back. I’d appreciate any information anyone has to offer. I think my only option is surgery and my local ortho have been less than helpful with suggestions. thx, Jarret Hann.
Find an orthopedic doc who is up on sports medicine, if you are in an area with a college or pro sports team you should be able to get someone with the most options. Even if you have to have a surgical intervention there are several options. Good Luck!
Find an orthopedic doc who is up on sports medicine, if you are in an area with a college or pro sports team you should be able to get someone with the most options. Even if you have to have a surgical intervention there are several options. Good Luck!
x2.
Wife has it. the first doc we went to suggested some types of surgery and promised ADL’s when she was done. Be afraid of any doctor that is only going to get you back to Activities of Daily Living. I heard this from the Doc and made my wife go to a sports med doc. Different approach and will be agressive in rehab and get her back to running and biking.
newf - you might want to spend a little time on line learning as you can about HR before you make a decision as to the correct course of action for you.
Although there are several traumatic etiologies, most of the ones I’ve seen couldn’t recall anything major. You’ll find that this is a degenerative (read arthritic) condition of the big toe joint and if you’ve only had it for a year you may be in luck. On the other side, those patients who are already complaining of knee, back or hip pain can be pretty far along. Your care giver will talk to you about shoe modifications, potentially the use of anti- inflammatory drugs, orthotics and injections. The inability to run is common but when viewed from the big picture perspective things could be worse.
Ultimately, depending your specific anatomic findings, a surgical procedure could be recommended. If this is the case, you really want to do your homework here as the results, good or bad, have to last you the rest of your life.
So, don’t be in any hurry here, find out the options that are best for you…and maybe spend a little more time on the bike and in the pool. Good luck.
Sure - just saw 4 people today with HR in fact.
Treatment varies greatly, but is generally based on the Regnauld classification that is done both clinically and with radiographic findings. Can be anywhere from orthotics with a Morton’s extension (last college professor I just saw) to complete joint arthrodesis (fusion) in severe cases. LOTS of “inbetween” options, but I personally don’t find the hemi or total joint implants very effective, so I’d rec against that if you find a doc who is suggesting it.
Might want to google the term “cheilectomy” for some good reading that will come up. Good luck!
what is a Mortons extension?
what is a Mortons extension?
Basically a stiff piece under the 1st ray (great toe joint) to both limit the dorsiflexion of the joint and can also be “thicker” than the rest of the orthotic/sock liner to load the joint (also to limit motion).
Do a Google search on Dorsal Chielectomy. Then find a Orthopaedic Surgeon with Foot/Ankle Fellowship training.
Good luck man, that Big Toe and 1st MTP joint is real important in one of our three sports.
newf - or, you could go to a sports podiatrist like rroof who obviously has the training and expertise to provide nonsurgical care - and possibly keep you in triathlon - until you fail conservative care and need an operation, and then only do what’s required. I very much agree with the “no joint replacement” approach until a better operation is designed.
thanks to all for the input, much appreciated.
Find an orthopedic doc who is up on sports medicine, if you are in an area with a college or pro sports team you should be able to get someone with the most options. Even if you have to have a surgical intervention there are several options. Good Luck!
I am a sports medicine doc and am terrible at these - I think the same can be said of most of my colleagues. I have about 2 tools that I use for treating these, and if those don’t work, I send them to a podiatrist that I trust.
I think skipping the sports medicine doc is okay on this one, unless you just want good advice about which podiatrist to see.
Point of clarification - when I say “podiatrist,” I am referring to either a DPM or an orthopedic surgeon who has done a foot/ankle fellowship. Like I said, I’m not that sophisticated with these.
Sorry for the delay in responding to this. I had HR for a couple of years before I dealt with it. I was worried that it would eventually cause bigger problems in my knee and back. The cartilage at my big toe joint was pretty much gone. I went to two doctors and they both said a cheilectomy would probably solve the problem. I read all sorts of online stuff and people had all sorts of different experiences so I was a bit confused and concerned. I am much more of a runner then biker or swimmer so it was a bigger deal for me. To cut to the chase, the doctor did a great job, I was laid up for a day or two with crutches and then a cane for about a week. Started running about 7 weeks later, very easy low volume. 7 months after the procedure I ran a PR at a half marathon and my run is as good as it was before. I still feel it a bit and it stills does not bend fully so I have some light soreness in my glute max and medius area after each run but its very manageable. So my experience with a great doctor/surgeon has been very positive. I am light and I heal well so that probably helped. If you want more info let me know. Hope this helps.
I was hoping you would chime in! Good to hear!