Stepping Into Better Health—Overcoming Hallux Limitus
原创发表于Race Play Michi-ana 2016年8月- 9月
长跑有一种方式可以揭示出生理上的异常——很多时候是以我们意想不到的方式. In my first year of medical school, 我开始看到改善我的心肺健康的好处,并为此开始跑步. It didn’t take long to realize the need for appropriate shoes, a better diet, 还要知道如何根据爱荷华州中部多变的气候穿衣服. With my first half-marathon only weeks away, however, I began to hear a click coming from the base of my great toe, accompanied by a “full feeling” around the joint. 值得注意的是,我的脚从外面看起来很普通,没有肿胀或发红. 我买了一些非处方植入物,毫无困难地跑了半程马拉松. Soon after that, however, the whole feeling became a dull ache…intermittent at first, then all the time.
What is hallux limitus?
拇趾萎缩是指拇趾在正常活动时不能在正常活动范围内活动. 正常的步态需要在大脚趾底部有65到75度的背屈度(向上弯曲的能力). 该关节流体运动的任何损害都可被认为是关节炎(“关节炎”意指关节和关节 “itis” meaning inflammation). The name of this particular joint is called Hallux limitus. 这种进行性疾病甚至可能导致大脚趾根部失去所有运动能力(半强直). 下面的x线图像比较了正常的大脚趾关节与关节炎伴随的半强直的完全进展.
Clinical signs and symptoms
In its early stages, a person might feel swelling or “a fullness” at the base of the great toe, 当脚趾弯曲到上肢时,哪一种会导致关节疼痛. 疼痛会因卧床而加重,甚至在休息时也会发展为灼烧感或钝痛. At some point, 当关节开始失去活动能力时,可能会通过皮肤看到潜在的骨质突出. Eventually, if left untreated, 当它从半勒克斯僵硬到半勒克斯僵硬时,关节将自动熔断.
Why does this happen?
There are several biomechanical causes including: flat feet, a long first metatarsal, an extended great toe or a functionally elevated first ray. 紧绷的跟腱也会使你的脚变平, increasing the pressure on the forefoot. 这种破坏关节的过程也可能是受伤或其他炎症导致的疾病(如痛风或类风湿性关节炎)的结果.
What can you do?
治疗半lux - limi - tus的关键是在关节破坏之前进行早期干预.
1. Over-the-counter arch supports are a good start. Commercially available ““摇滚”底鞋还可以帮助缓解走路时脚趾大关节的疼痛, but I would not recommend running in this type of shoe.
2. 非甾体抗炎药如布洛芬或萘普生可以缓解炎症,但不能治疗病因. 长期使用也会导致许多药物相互作用和潜在的肾脏负荷过重, so caution should be taken if needed beyond several days.
What your podiatrist can do:
半勒克斯燃烧是一个渐进的、破坏性的过程,分为四个阶段. Treatment depends on the stage of the progression:
Stage 1—活动末端疼痛,最小程度的关节变化和关节炎症. 治疗的目标是恢复大脚趾的柔韧性, the bottom of the foot, and the Achilles tendon. 这将与鞋子的评估和任何生物-生理-生理异常的治疗(必要时使用矫形器)一起进行。.
Stage 2 当关节进一步失去运动时,结构-转向变化开始于关节. 人们走路时脚朝外,以弥补无法将大脚趾向上弯曲的缺陷,这变得很常见. This may lead to plantar fasciitis or even knee pain. At this point, 物理治疗和可能使用的处方消炎药和自定义矫形器可能是解决生物-生理-生理原因的必要条件. 手术干预可能需要恢复运动和保守治疗. 这样的早期手术干预可以保护关节,防止以后需要进行关节融合.
从左至右为半勒克斯Lim-i-tus阶段1 - 4的相对x射线. 注意关节的狭窄和下面的籽骨的破坏, which serve as a fulcrum for propulsion.
Stage 3 –The joint has little remaining motion, 并且有明显的结构缺失,以周围骨质增生为标志. Grinding with any attempted joint motion is common, along with an increase in pain, swelling, and compensatory alterations in gait. Surgical intervention is necessary at this point. 矫形、理疗和康复治疗可能会在手术后进行.
Stage 4 (hallux rigidus)–Auto-fusion of the joint has occurred. 此时关节可能不会感到疼痛,但功能已经完全丧失. At this point, an accommodative orthotic may be of benefit, or surgical intervention may be necessary.
Tell me about the surgery.
根据病情的严重程度,有几种治疗方法可供选择. 最终的目标是减少疼痛,让你恢复正常的活动. If surgical intervention is necessary, your recovery will vary depending on the procedure, age, overall health, etc. However, in general, 你可以进行三到六周的非负重训练(使用拐杖或膝盖滑板车)。, 接下来是几周的康复训练,以恢复你的力量和柔韧性.
就我而言,我在1997年接受了手术,对骨头进行了减压,并对关节进行了重塑. 这与矫形器相结合,使我能够继续跑步,没有复发.
May the rest of your year be blessed with good health.
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