Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC

It’s a big problem when any of your joints become less flexible, but that’s especially true of the MTP, or big toe joint. MTP is short for metatarsophalangeal, which means the MTP joint connects the big toe to the rest of the foot, and “hallux rigidus” is the term used to describe a stiff big toe. When we walk, we push off the ground with the balls of our feet and rise onto our toes, making it crucial for the big toe joint to be flexible. If yours has been swelling, you should schedule an appointment with Mercer-Ocean Podiatry in northern New Jersey immediately. The MTP joint depends on its cartilage to move smoothly. That cartilage may be worn away through overuse, or it may deteriorate in response to rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Not everybody develops hallux rigidus, but people are at greater risk if their feet roll inward when they walk or their shoes don’t provide sufficient room for their toes to bend. If hallux rigidus is allowed to progress, the toe may develop a bone spur tha