Welcome to the Podiatry Arena forums

You are currently viewing our podiatry forum as a guest which gives you limited access to view all podiatry discussions and access our other features. By joining our free global community of Podiatrists and other interested foot health care professionals you will have access to post podiatry topics (answer and ask questions), communicate privately with other members, upload content, view attachments, receive a weekly email update of new discussions, access other special features. Registered users do not get displayed the advertisements in posted messages. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our global Podiatry community today!

  1. Have you considered the Clinical Biomechanics Boot Camp Online, for taking it to the next level? See here for more.
    Dismiss Notice
Dismiss Notice
Have you considered the Clinical Biomechanics Boot Camp Online, for taking it to the next level? See here for more.
Dismiss Notice
Have you liked us on Facebook to get our updates? Please do. Click here for our Facebook page.
Dismiss Notice
Do you get the weekly newsletter that Podiatry Arena sends out to update everybody? If not, click here to organise this.

75 yo runner with structural hallux limitus

Discussion in 'Biomechanics, Sports and Foot orthoses' started by jillian hosking, Jan 16, 2008.


  1. Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
    Dear Fellow Podiatrists,

    I recently saw a 75 yo lady who runs 8-10 k per week, ( slowly she says).she has very limited motion in her R 1st MPJ due to lipping around MPJ. It is not painful, but she "is aware " of the joint at times. She has never had any previous orthosis prescribed.

    She is concerned because her late mother had terrible bunions apparently-and she doesn't want to get them.
    this lady has no deviation of the Hallux only the enlargement of the joint area due to the bony exostosis. She wanted to know if she should have surgery now while she is young enough.

    My thought is to leave it alone if she is still so active and , but would appreciate any opinions /advice.

    thanks Jill
     
  2. Scorpio622

    Scorpio622 Active Member

    If her LROM is due to lipping only she may do quite well with a simple cheilectomy- provided there is still adequate cartilage and a negative axial grind test. Orthotics would be of benefit thereafter.
     
  3. drsarbes

    drsarbes Well-Known Member

    I agree w/ Scorpio;
    Always a good idea to Tx the patient and not just the foot. Certainly some of the Orthotic Gurus can suggest an orthotic to take pressure off the 1st MTPJ and slow progression of her arthritis.

    Cheilectomies- I've never had long term success with these. But at age 75 she may be a canditate if you can relate symptoms to osteophytic lipping or perhaps a fractured osteophyte. IF not, I would leave it alone surgically.

    Hope that helps.

    Steve
     
  4. Jill:

    I agree with Steve. I wouldn't do any surgery on this 75 y/o lady if she is asymptomatic. Cheilectomies are not very successful and, if they are, are not successful for very long, in my experience. In addition, jogging/running will tend to irritate the 1st MPJ joint pain from hallux limitus less than will walking. If she were my patient, I would not initially make her orthoses but may recommend over-the-counter orthoses and add a Morton's extension to it in the office to see how she liked it. Also, if she were my patient, I would tell her to enjoy her running and be happy that she can still run at this age, since so few people at her age can run the distances she can with the relative comfort she has.
     
Loading...

Share This Page