Physical Therapy Management for a Patient with Hallux Rigidus in a Baseball Player.

Abstract

Hallux rigidus is a common condition affecting the foot. There is a paucity of evidence describing the management of patients with hallux rigidus with manual physical therapy consisting of hands-on manual therapy techniques and movement reinforcing exercise. This case highlights the management of a patient with hallux rigidus by a physical therapist. The patient was a 60-year-old male baseball player with pain, loss of metatarsophalangeal joint motion, and radiographically visible degenerative changes suggesting a diagnosis of hallux rigidus. Treatment involved non-thrust joint manual distraction mobilization to the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint. Improvements were noted immediately in the patient's ability to run with decreased symptoms. I carefully instructed the patient to perform the manual distraction techniques at home. After 4 clinical visits, the patient returned to baseball the following spring. Outcomes were maintained 8 years after initial evaluation.