Hallux Rigidus/Hallux Limitus: Self Joint Mobilization

Self Mobilization of the Big Toe Joint is taught especially for patients with Hallux Limitus and Hallux Rigidus to keep the joint from freezing up. The 4 motions taught are Long Axis Extension, Dorsal and Plantar Glide, Rotation, and Ab and Adduction.

[@DanaMariedotorg]

Thanks! that felt pretty good

[@JoeBanjo88]

it worked surprisingly well! Thank you! Dennis, DC

[@clovellykev]

+Dennis Nowack same! after five minutes, my rigid toe feels looser than my other toe

[@empressgoddess5871]

Omg thank you.such a release. Having arthritis in the toe really makes me cry 😢

[@gsan9561]

what if the joint that is jammed is the joint right behind the toe nail? I haven't been able to bend it down in almost a year, feels like a bone spur is on top.

[@drblakeshealingsole]

As with the person before, try loosening up the area before mobilization with gentle massage, circular motions of the toe, warm soaking, etc. It definitely works better if you have 30 degrees of motion and want to get to 50 vs having 5 degrees of motion to start with. Dr Rich Blake

[@Chefgamervideos]

Yes, This treatment is very helpfull thanks, Richard Blake

[@MrsBrit1]

I'll definitely be continuing with these! After one round on each foot, the stiffness has reduced significantly. Not pain free, but certainly less painful than before!

[@drblakeshealingsole]

Great!! Thanks for the feedback! It has helped a lot of my patients. Rich

[@marcosantoniodossantos1068]

Doutor quem tem joanete(Hálux Valgo) causa o famoso Halúx Rigido ou nao tem nada ver e ambos sao distintos? E tem como conviver com Halux Rigido sem fazer cirurgia mantendo sempre alongado?

[@drblakeshealingsole]

Thank you for your comment. Hallux Valgus and Hallux Rigidus are both distinct problems which you rarely see together. Both have a lot to do with genetic predispositions, with various foot types making you prone for one over the other. Hallux Rigidus can be treated forever by some with conservative means. Please peruse my blog for possible treatments. I hope it helps. Rich www.drblakeshealingsole.com

[@MsGewb]

Hi I may have saw this too late as I'm one week post op cheilectomy! No regrets at this point but would loved to have seen this a few months ago. Anyway would you recommend theses exercises post op, after stitches are removed?

[@drblakeshealingsole]

MsGewb For sure, no pain, but it is safe for a post cheilectomy. Good luck. Rich

[@TheNYgolfer]

Hi, it's been 4 years since your cheilectomy , may I ask how you are doing ?

[@uli9084]

Hello, very interesting, I have this also. Question: is it wise to keep training karate if you have hallux limitus. Maybe better semi contact?. Or better a martial arts with keeping shoes on? Thank you .

[@nagaprathyush]

I've injured my big toe in mawashi geri while trying to kick a punching bag...thanks to 'functional hallux limitus' 🙁

[@ygbodybuilder3023]

I'm I'm 6 weeks post op and the surgery was non successful

[@drblakeshealingsole]

First I hope it is just to early to tell. Secondly, the treatment can be Cheilectomy vs Implant vs Fusion. Which do you have? Rich

[@ygbodybuilder3023]

@@drblakeshealingsole i had the cheletimy

[@y_yy_2844]

Thank you so much for this video. I was having terrible balance and dizziness problems and this simple mobilization has helped restore my balance.

[@drblakeshealingsole]

Great. We balance on a tripod for the foot (heel, big toe area, and 5th metatarsal area). Any disruption of one of these 3 spots can destroy the delicate balance in our bodies. Rich

[@Pumasarrar]

Wow! After orthotics, pain-killers, ice, new shoes, old shoes and meditation, these four exercises have taken away my functional hallux limitus in, almost, its entirety. And within two days! I will carry on with them a while more, of course, but you, Richard Blake, are a genius. Thank you

[@9oon3r]

Since your post, do you still do these exercises? I just discovered this video and found your comment very interesting!

[@foxesruler]

Really? In just 2 days? How many hours did you spend on those exercises?

[@Kwargsecosystem]

I noticed that it is important to grab all the small toes up (at same time) before starting operating with the great toe. Because I noticed the small toes were also becoming rigid on their tendons due to the great toe laziness ! ;-)

[@stransky57]

I just had an operation 21 days for Hallux rigidus and I wonder if these exercises could help to the rehabilitation process or they are useful only before the procedure Thanks a lot

[@MsGewb]

Hi I'm just one week post op cheilectomy and I'm wondering the same thing; if I should start these exercises and when. I will definitely want to wait at least another week, when the stitches are out. Any feedback you can give will be much appreciated!

[@sambyrne7542]

@@MsGewb how is your toe now

[@frogglestrap]

hi im finding pain doing these exercises im doing them gently .. i have 20% degrees of motion at the minute shall i continue ?

[@Tac333]

My who hand popped and cracked doing this . uh oh

[@drivesecure2476]

i tried to do this the pain was so bad i had to stop it takes me 5 minutes to get a shoe on toe wont move

[@drblakeshealingsole]

Sorry, that means the joint is too irritated. You may try a month of 10-minute ice pack three times a day to cool down the joint first. You can also get a removable boot and wear 4-6 hours a day (when you are not driving) to rest the joint. Then, if it is feeling better, try the mobilization again. Rich

[@drivesecure2476]

@@drblakeshealingsole Thankyou I will try the ice

[@PunjabiProductions22]

I dropped the weight on my toe that can high school in gym class can I reverse the damage and stop arthritis

[@drblakeshealingsole]

Punjabi Panda too many factors to speculate! Does it hurt a lot?

[@PunjabiProductions22]

@@drblakeshealingsole this was 10 years ago so it just hurts sometimes when I walk alot but 90% of the time no

[@PunjabiProductions22]

@@drblakeshealingsole right now I'm pain free but I got that Ridge thing

[@drblakeshealingsole]

Definitely this exercise can keep the joint healthier if done 3 days a week

[@PunjabiProductions22]

@@drblakeshealingsole will the cartilage eventually go away or will I need a joint replacement?

[@brockelliott5408]

thanks for sharing! Do you recommend anything other than this and icing for hallux limitus?

[@mikeVyh915]

Oh Snap! It worked!! Genius!

[@sparklepaige23]

If I have a bone spur that's developed will this still help?

[@drblakeshealingsole]

+Sparkle Paige It should, just never do it through pain. Rich

[@DOta264]

I hope this works,i will tell you after some time,thanks.

[@drblakeshealingsole]

I sure hope it does. It takes a little time to get the feel of the motion. See the other video also. Good Luck. Rich Blake kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGOUfqehnbxqm5I

[@DOta264]

Richard Blake thanks for the other video.do i have to use some ice for the inflamation to help the recovery or just these exercises?

[@DOta264]

it gives me more mobility and flexibility,but the bone is this big and inflamated...i've done some x-rays but they've said it is all fine...i've grown a bigger bone there or what?

[@drblakeshealingsole]

Some of the thickness is in your soft tissue, so daily icing twice for 10 minutes will reduce some of that. Ice massage by melting an ice cube is best as it gets the inflammation pushed out. Some of the thickness may be early bone spur formation (and that may not show on x ray). Do the icing and see how it looks in 3 months. Rich

[@DOta264]

Richard Blake i will,thanks a lot.

[@nindisoorae8828]

Thank you sir.

[@commentoria]

Thanks Dr. Blake for these exercises. My toe seems to be improving. What do you think about toe-separating apparatus such as Correct Toes?

[@MsGewb]

Yes I'm also wondering about toe separators...did you try correct toes?

[@commentoria]

Yes, I use Correct Toes and really like them. I still do the exercises.

[@ehteshamraja332]

I have 20°of motion for the last 6 yrs. I've tried all these exercises but my toe remains rigid. Any suggestions?

[@drblakeshealingsole]

Thanks for the comment. When you have less than 30 degrees that suggests you have a lot of arthritis which stiffens the joint. That may be not be reversible. But it may. Have x-rays noted significant arthritis with bone spurs, or does the joint look pretty clean. You can try warm warm soaks first before mobilization. You can also go to a physical therapist to try to increase your range of motion. Is it just stiff, or does it hurt with every step? Rich

[@ehteshamraja332]

@@drblakeshealingsole it's just stiff going up. Downwards it's fine. Have tried physiotherapy and self manipulation. Xray shows no spurs but a narrower gap.

[@drblakeshealingsole]

That is a great that no spurs are noted. You may have a square toe joint which is typically naturally tighter. Do you have the same problem on both sides? Has there been any trauma to the toe in the past? Is the big toe much longer than the 2nd toe? Rich

[@ehteshamraja332]

@@drblakeshealingsole yes the big toe is longer than the second toe. But the same is true for my left foot which is ok.

[@ActiveFamilyChiropractic]

That helped my toe a lot. Thanks!

[@_Trakman]

wow that helped!

[@garypivo1857]

Agree. Its been about 5 days, and my symptoms have reduced by 90%. Amazing. Thank you Richard

[@lchapman313]

Thanks Dr. Blake!

[@drblakeshealingsole]

Thank you very much. Rich I use this technique in my practice almost daily!

[@lchapman313]

I see you are in SF. do you have any office hours in the North Bay? Do you accept Anthem BC?

[@drblakeshealingsole]

Sorry, I have no office hours in the North Bay, but I do accept Anthem BC. I do not accept some of the California Plans tied to Blue Cross, so it is always good to check with my front desk at 415-353-6400. Thanks Rich

[@cliov6191]

How long should i these exercises every time/session?

[@ironmanitou4662]

Thank you

[@Wxstrn]

Is it possible to develop this very fast? As in going from having slight discomfort needing to pop the toe every few weeks with sometimes a little pain…. To almost being unable to walk, throbbing pain, very little range of motion w joint and toe, and redness on side of joint and top within 24 hours? I don’t think I have a break because there isn’t any bruising unless it’s a hairline fracture.

[@oibara2]

did this get better?