Physical Therapy Management of a Baseball Player With Hallux Rigidus

Abstract

Hallux rigidus is a common condition affecting the foot. I was not able to find evidence regarding the management of patients with hallux rigidus with manual physical therapy con-sisting of hands-on manual therapy techniques and movement-reinforcing exercise. This case report attempts to highlight the management of a patient with hallux rigidus by a physical therapist. The patient was a 60-year-old male baseball player with clinically apparent pain, loss of metatarsophalangeal joint motion, and radiographically visible degenerative changes suggesting a diagnosis of grade II hallux rigidus. Treatment involved joint distraction mobilization of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Improvements were noted immedi-ately with regard to the patient’s ability to run with decreased symptoms. I carefully instructed the patient to perform the manual distraction techniques at home. After four clinical visits, the patient returned to baseball the following spring. Outcomes were maintained 8 years after initial evaluation.