Cheilectomy is commonly done on patients with hallux rigidis
This surgical procedure is used to remove bone spurs at the big toe’s base that cause pain and limits the toe’s movement. This is the pain, stiffness and bone spur growth in people who have arthritis in their big toe. The procedure removes the bone spurs on the lip of the big toe joint and reduces the big toe joint’s arthritis pain and stiffness. A cheilectomy is a simple and very effective foot operation.
Treats A Painful Degenerative Arthritic Condition
In the big toe joint of people with the degenerative arthritic condition hallux rigidus, the normally white, firm, slick, cartilage becomes yellow, thin, stiff, painful, barely able to move and eroded. This often exposes the underlying bone and results in a very painful grinding motion. In cases where more advanced degeneration has occurred, benign bone cysts may form just below the joint’s surface and lead to large, bulky bone spurs on the top and sides of the joint. Using cheilectomy surgery, orthopedic surgeons remove the bone spurs that have developed.
The Cheilectomy Procedure
During cheilectomy surgery an incision is made on the top or side of the joint of the big toe through which an orthopedic chisel or power saw is used to remove the bone spurs. The surgeon then puts surgical wax on to the surfaces of the raw bone to prevent the bone spurs from reforming. The orthopedic surgeon then thoroughly inspects the big toe joint for signs of internal damage. Areas where there are bone cysts and cartilage loss, the surgeon treats them to promote healing and stimulate cartilage growth. The entire procedure typically takes under an hour to perform.
Cheilectomy Recovery
Cheilectomy surgery on the big toe joint is usually an outpatient procedure that is done at the doctor’s office with local anesthesia. Immediately after the surgery, patients are encouraged to walk wearing surgical shoes. Patients usually experience increased toe movement and relief from the pain within a few days and the sutures are removed after two weeks.
