It causes inflammation (swelling) in and around your joints. Healthcare providers sometimes call hallux rigidus “big toe arthritis.” Hallux rigidus means “stiff big toe” — the condition’s most common symptom. It causes pain and stiffness in your MTP joint. It’s a form of osteoarthritis (“wear and tear arthritis”).

Hallux rigidus, is arthritis (pain and stiffening) of the main joint of the big toe in the ball of the foot. It is due to a wearing out of the joint surfaces. Sometimes only the upper part of the joint is affected and the rest of the joint is undamaged. In other people the whole joint is worn out.