Wear of the cartilage in the joint at the base of the big toe can lead to stiffness, pain, swelling and rubbing on the shoe. Stiff shoes and insoles can help but if they fail to allow adequate activity, removing bony lips from the joint edges (cheilectomy) or fusion of the joint (arthrodesis) can improve quality of life.
Deformity of the lesser toes (claw or hammer toes) may require surgical correction according to the degree of dysfunction.
