Figure 3. Positive functional hallux limitus test. A: A load is applied to the first metatarsal head to simulate ground reaction force. B: As dorsiflexion of the toe is attempted, there is a jamming at the first metatarsophalangeal joint.
http://lermagazine.com/article/functional-hallux-limitus-diagnosis-and-treatment
What Is Hallux Rigidus? Hallux rigidus is a disorder of the joint located at the base of the big toe. It causes pain and stiffness in the joint, and with time it gets increasingly harder to bend the toe. ‘Hallux” refers to the big toe, while “rigidus” indicates that the toe is rigid and cannot move. Hallux rigidus is actually a form of degenerative arthritis. This disorder can be very troubling and even disabling, since we use the big toe whenever we walk, stoop down, climb up, or even stand.
https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/hallux-rigidus
Functional hallux limitus is a separate distinct diagnosis from structural hallux limitus. Functional hallux limitus (FnHL) is characterized by a lack of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint during gait only.1 The first MTP joint will demonstrate normal motion during an open kinetic chain examination.
http://lermagazine.com/article/functional-hallux-limitus-diagnosis-and-treatment
If you are experiencing pain in your big toe joint, you likely have one of three related conditions: 1  Bunions – Enlargement of the big toe joint. 2  Hallux Limitus – Pain in the big toe joint due to too much pressure.  Hallux Rigidus – Arthritis in the big toe joint.
https://www.footankle.com/bunions/
Also known as big toe joint pain, hallux limitus is a condition where the big toe joint doesn’t move as it should due to abnormal foot mechanics. When the big toe cannot bend upward as it naturally should, excessive force builds up inside the joint each time you take a step.
https://www.footankle.com/bunions/
3b) When dorsiflexion of the toe is attempted in a foot with functional hallux limitus, there will be a distinct lack of plantar flexion of the first metatarsal head into the left thumb and a perceived ‘jamming’ of first MTP joint motion.
http://lermagazine.com/article/functional-hallux-limitus-diagnosis-and-treatment
Many patients confuse hallux rigidus with a bunion, which affects the same joint, but they are very different conditions requiring different treatment. Because hallux rigidus is a progressive condition, the toe’s motion decreases as time goes on.
https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/hallux-rigidus
I have made a small modification to the functional hallux limitus test and have found that the modified version is easy to incorporate into a foot assessment as part of the evaluation of clients with foot pain and pathology.
http://lermagazine.com/article/functional-hallux-limitus-diagnosis-and-treatment
Figure 4. Negative functional hallux limitus test. A: Plantarflexion of the first metatarsal. B: Stability of the arch is achieved through the windlass mechanism once dorsiflexion of the first MTP joint is achieved.
http://lermagazine.com/article/functional-hallux-limitus-diagnosis-and-treatment
People with hallux limitus will have pain in the joint when they walk and sometimes after activity. Some shoes may aggravate this pain. There may or may not be visible changes to the joint and a bunion may or may not be present. Pain in the big toe joint is a sign of ongoing damage, so you should not ignore the pain. Hallux limitus is progressive and early treatment can help prevent future problems.
https://www.footankle.com/bunions/
what is a hallux limitus
Hallux Limitus is a condition where the big toe joint doesn’t move as it should due to abnormal foot mechanics. 