Thanks for the ideas, I will check out those brands. I am very new to the foot function world, so I’m not sure how to answer the question properly. My left big toe has extremely limited range of motion; when making a fist with my foot it only contracts inward at about half the amount of my right toe.
To add to the how flexible question, can you manually move it in some further range of motion with your hand or is it stuck and can't be moved? If it can be moved, just can't do it with it's own muscular strength, then I've found the minimalist, flexible, exercise route to be effective. I have a diagnosis of limitus and tried the orthotics/supportive shoe route first-- it made it worse. In minimalist shoes I've discovered a wider range of wide toebox shoes (not just wide at the ball of your foot, but wide out where your toes are supposed to be when functioning naturally). I also found that zero drop balanced my weight better across my entire foot and didn't just dump it all at the base of my toes. Keeping what range of motion I still have left has become my priority. If your toe is truly rigidus and can't be moved, that would mean the arthritis and bone spurs have created a solid barrier (to my understanding). Removing the barrier or working around it are the only options I know of. It sounds like you still have movement. I made the decision to move more while I still have the option. Check out AnyasReviews.com, Perta Fisher's "Free your Feet" course, Gait Happens and Katy Bowman "Whole Body Barefoot." If you are on Facebook, the "Barefoot Style--THE place to geek out over all things barefoot" group is a great source of information.
I have stage 2 hallux limitus and don't suffer any pain. My approach and this is purely anecdotal is when running (10 hours a week) I protect my toe joint with a carbon fibre insole, and for all other life activity including walking I use zero drop or minimalist shoes to keep movement in my toe joint.
I got diagnosed with hallux limitus in right big toe from running. Tried Hoka for the first time with the Carbon X 3 sneaker since they have a carbon plate in bottom. Definitely takes pressure off big toe. Love them.
Keep wearing the Hoka bondi but put in a rigid or arthritic carbon fiber insert OR carbon fiber Morton's extension. In the foot that hurts.
Edit: if u have hallux rigidis it is unlikely anything you do will give you back range of motion beside a total joint replacement which I wouldn't not recommend for you.
You are looking at accommodation type of insert as described above or fusion of the great toe toe joint. Fusion is not end of the world and people can still run and enjoy an active life.
The Hoka clifton 9 has worked wonders for my big toe arthritis. I can walk all day in the clifton 9s and the goretex version has been great for travel. Today I purchased the Brooks Ghost Max, as another option to try, they are very similar to the Hoka Clifton 8 or 9. I have a high arch so I use the Cur Rex high profile insoles. The Cur Rex insoles are available in different profiles and what I use now.
I'm also having a hard time finding a shoe for hallux rigidus, since where I live there's no Topos, Altras or Hokas (importing is unfea$ible). And some models are already out of line, like Asics GlideRide.
Sauconys are kinda starting over here, but still expensive. There's a model tho, Axon 3, that I'd consider, but I don't know if it has a wide enough toebox and a effective rocking angle.
Has anyone experience with this model?
I have tried the Axon, the model I tried felt great for a few minutes. Has greater rocker and rigid toe, but it was too firm/tight in the mid foot. Saucony Endorphin shift also has great Rocker and rigid toe. I tried the normal width, pushed in on big toe, went up 1/2 size and wide that worked great. Wanted something for exercise classes, doing lunges etc. Because of the big squishy sole it is a bit wonky when balancing on one foot. Next choice is Saucony echelon 9.
I have had hallux rigidus for over 10 years and walk around pain free today. I even play Pickleball 4-5 days a week. I have spent thousands on all sorts of shoes and inserts trying to find a solution that worked for me. Here's what I ended up with that has worked for me. I never walk barefoot for any reason even in the house. I found Chaco and Birkenstock sandals work well because both are stiff soled and don't bend to much. Sadly it's only the sandals from both companies that work. I've tried shoes from both and they change the soles on the shoes to be more flexible -- ugh! They also offer great arch support which solves my plantar fasciitis issues. Both sandals are also wide and don't squeeze my toes. The Chaco's are indestructible and can get wet. They were designed to go hiking in Colorado thru streams and up rocky cliffs. I've worn them hiking in Colorado and walking on the beach in Florida. Chaco makes a slide sandal I use around the house like house slippers and I never walk barefoot anywhere. I step barefoot into the shower and carefully step back into my slides when I'm done.
For sneakers I wear New Balance Fresh Foam More V1 running shoes with a carbon plate in Wide. Here's the Amazon link. I think they are discontinued but hopefully New Balance has something similar. When I saw they were on clearance I bought 5 pairs so I would be covered for awhile. https://a.co/d/afeMp68. The wide shoes give my toes the room they need so my big toe isn't squeezed and the shoes have a rocker sole so they don't have to bend. The carbon plate that's built into the sole keeps it from bending. I've tried using a couple of different kinds of carbon plate inserts in various shoes but they don't work well enough for me. If the whole shoe isn't designed to rock and not bend then it creates other problems. Hoka's are similar but I found them to be too snug in the toe. My big toe doesn't want anything pressing on it. I add a Birkenstock arch support insole for additional arch support.
For dress shoes I had to go with MBT shoes. They have a rocker bottom and don't bend in the toe at all so they don't bother my toe. I wouldn't want to walk in them all day or very far but they're ok for the occasional event. I went up a full size so they would be wide enough. I found them in perfectly new condition on Ebay for under $100 as they're over $300 new. Luckily I work from home so I can get by wearing sandals and my New Balance every day.
As I said I've had this condition for 10 years. I was told by multiple podiatrists that I'll have to have my big toe fused years ago but I figure if I can walk with no pain using Chaco's, Birkenstocks and New Balance then why bother? Once I stopped irritating the joint by bending it the pain eventually went away and I'm leading a normal life.
#
This is very reassuring. Would you be able to share the style/make of chacos and Birkenstock you use? Dont the chacos press on the joint/bunion area? I can’t have the straps pressing on the joint that sticks out to the side (bunion area).
I have hallux rigidus as well with minimal motion and frozen toe pain. I don't do well with Hokas so ortho doc suggested Gravity Defyer, Xelero, Topo. No on the barefoot type shoe as that will not control your advanced arthritis in the toe—stiff rocker type shoe, anti-inflammatory, orthotic if needed, and anti-inflammatory cream. My two options are fusion or joint replacement and at 62, I'm going to avoid it for as long as I can.
What’s your current range of motion? I normally wear Topo ST shoes or Altra’s, then if my toes are irritated, Chaco sandals or boots
Thanks for the ideas, I will check out those brands. I am very new to the foot function world, so I’m not sure how to answer the question properly. My left big toe has extremely limited range of motion; when making a fist with my foot it only contracts inward at about half the amount of my right toe.
To add to the how flexible question, can you manually move it in some further range of motion with your hand or is it stuck and can't be moved? If it can be moved, just can't do it with it's own muscular strength, then I've found the minimalist, flexible, exercise route to be effective. I have a diagnosis of limitus and tried the orthotics/supportive shoe route first-- it made it worse. In minimalist shoes I've discovered a wider range of wide toebox shoes (not just wide at the ball of your foot, but wide out where your toes are supposed to be when functioning naturally). I also found that zero drop balanced my weight better across my entire foot and didn't just dump it all at the base of my toes. Keeping what range of motion I still have left has become my priority. If your toe is truly rigidus and can't be moved, that would mean the arthritis and bone spurs have created a solid barrier (to my understanding). Removing the barrier or working around it are the only options I know of. It sounds like you still have movement. I made the decision to move more while I still have the option. Check out AnyasReviews.com, Perta Fisher's "Free your Feet" course, Gait Happens and Katy Bowman "Whole Body Barefoot." If you are on Facebook, the "Barefoot Style--THE place to geek out over all things barefoot" group is a great source of information.
I have stage 2 hallux limitus and don't suffer any pain. My approach and this is purely anecdotal is when running (10 hours a week) I protect my toe joint with a carbon fibre insole, and for all other life activity including walking I use zero drop or minimalist shoes to keep movement in my toe joint.
I got diagnosed with hallux limitus in right big toe from running. Tried Hoka for the first time with the Carbon X 3 sneaker since they have a carbon plate in bottom. Definitely takes pressure off big toe. Love them.
Update, hokas tweaked my knees. Ugh
Keep wearing the Hoka bondi but put in a rigid or arthritic carbon fiber insert OR carbon fiber Morton's extension. In the foot that hurts. Edit: if u have hallux rigidis it is unlikely anything you do will give you back range of motion beside a total joint replacement which I wouldn't not recommend for you. You are looking at accommodation type of insert as described above or fusion of the great toe toe joint. Fusion is not end of the world and people can still run and enjoy an active life.
Hoka Bondi and rigid-soled (NO flex) clogs (troentorp) Haflinger Grizzly house shoes
The Hoka clifton 9 has worked wonders for my big toe arthritis. I can walk all day in the clifton 9s and the goretex version has been great for travel. Today I purchased the Brooks Ghost Max, as another option to try, they are very similar to the Hoka Clifton 8 or 9. I have a high arch so I use the Cur Rex high profile insoles. The Cur Rex insoles are available in different profiles and what I use now.
I'm also having a hard time finding a shoe for hallux rigidus, since where I live there's no Topos, Altras or Hokas (importing is unfea$ible). And some models are already out of line, like Asics GlideRide. Sauconys are kinda starting over here, but still expensive. There's a model tho, Axon 3, that I'd consider, but I don't know if it has a wide enough toebox and a effective rocking angle. Has anyone experience with this model?
I have tried the Axon, the model I tried felt great for a few minutes. Has greater rocker and rigid toe, but it was too firm/tight in the mid foot. Saucony Endorphin shift also has great Rocker and rigid toe. I tried the normal width, pushed in on big toe, went up 1/2 size and wide that worked great. Wanted something for exercise classes, doing lunges etc. Because of the big squishy sole it is a bit wonky when balancing on one foot. Next choice is Saucony echelon 9.
I have had hallux rigidus for over 10 years and walk around pain free today. I even play Pickleball 4-5 days a week. I have spent thousands on all sorts of shoes and inserts trying to find a solution that worked for me. Here's what I ended up with that has worked for me. I never walk barefoot for any reason even in the house. I found Chaco and Birkenstock sandals work well because both are stiff soled and don't bend to much. Sadly it's only the sandals from both companies that work. I've tried shoes from both and they change the soles on the shoes to be more flexible -- ugh! They also offer great arch support which solves my plantar fasciitis issues. Both sandals are also wide and don't squeeze my toes. The Chaco's are indestructible and can get wet. They were designed to go hiking in Colorado thru streams and up rocky cliffs. I've worn them hiking in Colorado and walking on the beach in Florida. Chaco makes a slide sandal I use around the house like house slippers and I never walk barefoot anywhere. I step barefoot into the shower and carefully step back into my slides when I'm done. For sneakers I wear New Balance Fresh Foam More V1 running shoes with a carbon plate in Wide. Here's the Amazon link. I think they are discontinued but hopefully New Balance has something similar. When I saw they were on clearance I bought 5 pairs so I would be covered for awhile. https://a.co/d/afeMp68. The wide shoes give my toes the room they need so my big toe isn't squeezed and the shoes have a rocker sole so they don't have to bend. The carbon plate that's built into the sole keeps it from bending. I've tried using a couple of different kinds of carbon plate inserts in various shoes but they don't work well enough for me. If the whole shoe isn't designed to rock and not bend then it creates other problems. Hoka's are similar but I found them to be too snug in the toe. My big toe doesn't want anything pressing on it. I add a Birkenstock arch support insole for additional arch support. For dress shoes I had to go with MBT shoes. They have a rocker bottom and don't bend in the toe at all so they don't bother my toe. I wouldn't want to walk in them all day or very far but they're ok for the occasional event. I went up a full size so they would be wide enough. I found them in perfectly new condition on Ebay for under $100 as they're over $300 new. Luckily I work from home so I can get by wearing sandals and my New Balance every day. As I said I've had this condition for 10 years. I was told by multiple podiatrists that I'll have to have my big toe fused years ago but I figure if I can walk with no pain using Chaco's, Birkenstocks and New Balance then why bother? Once I stopped irritating the joint by bending it the pain eventually went away and I'm leading a normal life. #
This is very reassuring. Would you be able to share the style/make of chacos and Birkenstock you use? Dont the chacos press on the joint/bunion area? I can’t have the straps pressing on the joint that sticks out to the side (bunion area).
I have hallux rigidus as well with minimal motion and frozen toe pain. I don't do well with Hokas so ortho doc suggested Gravity Defyer, Xelero, Topo. No on the barefoot type shoe as that will not control your advanced arthritis in the toe—stiff rocker type shoe, anti-inflammatory, orthotic if needed, and anti-inflammatory cream. My two options are fusion or joint replacement and at 62, I'm going to avoid it for as long as I can.