Does cortisone injection treat hallux rigidus?

Hallux rigidus is arthritis affecting the joint at the base of the big toe. Push-off during walking, stairs, or running may hurt, and the toe may become stiff or develop a firm bump. Cortisone injected into the joint can calm inflammation and make shoes or walking more comfortable for a period. It does not remove a bony prominence or restore lost joint movement. A foot and ankle clinician considers the examination, footwear, activity demands, and the degree of joint change before recommending it.

Choose shoes with enough room for the toes and a sole that limits painful bending at the big-toe joint. Reduce activities that repeatedly force the toe upward while keeping comfortable movement as advised. A podiatrist or physiotherapist can discuss footwear modifications, insoles, and exercises suited to your gait. If an injection is proposed, ask how it may help, whether imaging is needed, and what alternatives fit your symptoms. Keep track of walking distance, shoe tolerance, and toe movement rather than judging treatment only by pain.

Arrange an assessment if toe pain is affecting walking, footwear, work, or sleep, or if stiffness is steadily increasing. Seek prompt care after an injection if the toe or foot becomes increasingly red, hot, swollen, or painful, or if fever or feeling unwell develops. A suddenly painful, deformed, or numb toe after an injury needs prompt evaluation.

Ask how much of the pain comes from joint inflammation, whether footwear changes should come first, where the injection would be placed, what walking limits apply afterward, and what options exist if stiffness continues.