SYMPTOMS 
- Pain in the toes when pushing off to begin walking cycle.
- Swelling and inflammation around the joint.
- Bump that develops on the top of the foot
- Stiffness in the toe, reduced movement in the big toe joint.
DIAGNOSIS
It is important to seek treatment for the condition as soon as possible. The longer the condition is left untreated the harder it is to achieve positive results. The foot will be examined by your practitioner identify degree of motion in the joint. An X-ray will determine the location and size of any bone spurs. The degree of joint deterioration can also be identified.
How can Firefly Foot & Ankle Clinics help?
At Firefly, our podiatrist can prescribe custom made foot orthoses that limits the flex motion of the big toe joint, known as the metatarsophalangeal [MTP], to reduce pain. 
Our podiatrists will advise on suitable footwear to achieve the best outcome in concert with any podiatric biomechanic orthotic therapy. Shoes with large toe boxes are recommended to reduce the pressure on the MTP joint and high heel shoes are strongly discouraged. Shoes with stiff soles will limit the movement in the MTP joint adding greater support to the joint, reducing bend.
Surgical treatments
If symptoms continue surgical treatment may be recommended. Motion can be returned to the big toe joint by surgically removing the bone spur. This treatment can also result in long-term pain relief. When damage to the joint cartilage is severe, fusion of the joint may be recommended. Here the damaged cartilage is removed and pins are inserted to fuse the joint. This negates movement of the joint as the bones are fixed together. However, the loss of movement is off-set by a reliable method of reducing pain. Patients who have place less function demands on the feed may be candidates for joint replacement surgery.