Hallux rigidus: cheilotomy or implant?

Fifty-one feet in 42 patients with varying degrees of symptomatic hallux rigidus and with 2 years of follow-up have been operated with excellent results. Cheilotomy was performed in all cases with only cheilotomy employed in the young patients and implant surgery (single-stem silicone) reserved for the older and more advanced arthritis cases. Pain generally disappeared within 3 months. Range of toe motion in dorsiflexion increased. All patients returned to their activity of choice. All patients were able to utilize off-the-shelf footwear postoperatively. There have been no fractures or inflammatory reactions of the implants as yet, including those inserted 4 or more years ago.