1st MTPJ Fusion

This is where the two bones of the joint at the base of the big toe are realigned and fused together and is only usually carried out if degeneration of the joint is too severe or if deformity of the big toe makes it unfeasible to fix the joint. Essentially the surgery aims to trade a painful and usually stiff joint for a painless, completely stiffened one. Although this results in permanent stiffness where the joint was, function is usually excellent. Patients have been known to run marathons after this surgery, and there are many professional athletes and sportsmen, including tennis star Lleyton Hewitt, who have successfully undergone the surgery.