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The Hallux is the big toe. It connects to the foot at the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint (MTP). If you have a problem with your gait, this joint is one of the first places to assess. It provides forward drive, it is key to maintaining balance and stabilizes your medial arch.
Hallux Limitus is best understood by the word limit. Your big toe should be able to flex from 65 –degrees to 90-degrees. If its mobility is limited or stiff, then you may have a problem with the biomechanics of your sesamoid bones which are pea-shaped bones in the ball of your foot. Cartilage at the MTP joint is often worn down. Hallux Limitus creates a biomechanical cascade that impacts your ankle, affects the knee, pelvis, and hips.
Hallux Rigidus is a more severe condition than Hallux Limitus. It is full blown arthritis of the big toe joint, the all-important MTP. Cartilage is destroyed and osteophytes form around the joint. As such, it needs to be treated as a disease that conventional treatments consider incurable. Hallux Rigidus also creates a biomechanical cascade that imbalances your body.
- Decline in mobility of toe (Hallux Limitus)
- Fixation of the toe (Hallux Rigidus)
- An ache at the MTP joint of the big toe
- Swelling
- Difficulty walking uphill
- Poor running or walking dynamics
The long term success of Dr. Greenberg’s patients is attributed to a specialized approach to the examination process. Deemed “The Greenberg Method,” this diagnostic approach not only looks into the area of damage and pain, but also evaluates the mechanics and structure of the bone and joints related to the area of the pain. For instance, we look at the arch of the foot, and the metatarsal arch. In executing The Greenberg Method, Dr. Greenberg often discovers that conditions experienced in one area of the body are often rooted in a different area that hasn’t been treated before. While an isolated joint treatment ignores physiology and the evaluation of movement, The Greenberg Method’s full-body examination produces a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan. In return, the patient experiences a greater reduction in pain and improvement in function, which helps them get back on their feet to resume their daily routines, pain free.
Dr. Greenberg’s team will perform The Greenberg Method. They will carefully examine your big toe, all adjacent foot joints, ligaments, ankle and knee to fully understand the impact of Hallux Limitus or Rigidus on your musculoskeletal system.
Depending on the severity of Hallux Rigidus or Hallux Limitus, the team may suggest alternative therapies plus The Greenberg Method (TGM). This may include Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy or Stem Cell injections. It is always better to try to regenerate a joint system than to fuse or remove a joint surgically.
The Greenberg Method uses the body’s natural healing processes to regenerate cartilage, tendons, ligaments and strengthen bone structures to remobilize joint systems and alleviate the symptoms of foot arthritis. After several TGM treatments over several weeks, pain often subsides as the joint returns to normal.
The Greenberg Method is a good choice for people who are looking for a non-invasive alternative to foot joint replacement surgery. TGM treatments have lower infection risks than surgeries, shorter recovery times and are opioid-free. The Greenberg Method treats you holistically, renews you physically and seeks to rekindle a feeling of wellness so you become a healthier and happier YOU with ankles that don’t ache.
If you or a loved one is looking for a new strategy to treat chronic aches and pains, fill out the form on this page to schedule an appointment or call Dr. Greenberg’s office today at 833-440-4325.