Evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment of selected conservative methods of hallux rigidus and hallux limitus with consideration of orthopedic supplies – review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction. Hallux rigidus and hallux limitus are characterized by limited range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in the sagittal plane. Aim of the study. The purpose of this study was to present the possibilities and evaluate the effectiveness of conservative treatment of hallux rigidus and limitus with consideration of orthopedic supplies based on the available literature. Material and methods. The available literature was analyzed based on English-language databases PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Medline and others, using the Google Scholar search engine. Twenty-one articles were analyzed out of 51 retrieved by the above method. Publications no older than 21 years were used as search criteria using the following keywords: hallux rigidus, hallux limitus, orthopedic supplies, physiotherapy, orthopedic insoles, surgical treatment, conservative treatment. Results. After analyzing the papers, it was not possible to find a clear answer to determine which conservative treatment of hallux rigidus is the most effective, while each of the mentioned methods brings benefits to the patient. Conclusions. Contemporary studies indicate that conservative treatment methods for hallux rigidus and limitus are effective. Both orthopedic insoles, drug treatment and physiotherapy provide relief from pain. When a patient is referred for surgery, the doctor has a choice of different treatment methods depending on the stage of the hallux rigidus.