Big toe arthritis
Big toe arthritis (hallux rigidus) is wear of the joint at the base of the big toe, causing pain and stiffness. It is often managed with footwear changes and pain relief, with surgery for stiffer, more painful joints. Read more about big toe arthritis →
If symptoms are sudden, severe or getting worse, contact your GP or NHS 111.
Where are you up to?
The NHS reports waiting times by specialty, not by individual condition, so this is the orthopaedics wait (not specific to big toe arthritis), updated August 2026. Enter a postcode to see the hospitals near you.
orthopaedics waiting times by hospital
| Trust | Location | Typical wait |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | Reading | 5 weeks |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | Bath and North East Somerset | 12 weeks |
| Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Liverpool | 13 weeks |
| George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust | Nuneaton and Bedworth | 13 weeks |
| South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust | Warwick | 14 weeks |
| University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | Birmingham | 15 weeks |
| South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Middlesbrough | 15 weeks |
| University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Camden | 16 weeks |
About big toe arthritis
Big toe arthritis, also called hallux rigidus, is wear of the main joint at the base of the big toe. The cartilage that cushions the joint thins, so the joint gets stiff and painful, often with a bony bump on top. It can make walking, bending the toe and wearing some shoes uncomfortable.
How it is treated
Most people start with simple measures: painkillers or anti-inflammatory medicines, shoes with a stiff or rocker sole that limit bending of the toe, and insoles. A steroid injection into the joint can ease a painful flare. If these don't help enough, surgery can be considered, such as a cheilectomy to remove the bony bump and free up movement, or, for a severe, stiff joint, a fusion that permanently stiffens it to take the pain away.
After treatment
Stiffer-soled shoes, insoles and pain relief keep many people comfortable without surgery. After a cheilectomy, movement and comfort often improve while keeping the joint. A fusion gives a stiff but pain-free joint, and recovery is measured in weeks to a few months as the bone heals.
Sources: NHS (Milton Keynes University Hospital): Big toe arthritis. Last updated October 2026.
General information only, not medical advice. Wait or Pay is independent and is not the NHS. Your GP decides what care, if any, you need.