If you are overweight, then losing weight can help. This will reduce the stresses going through the foot. There are some excellent resources for losing weight here and advice on the best diet for those with arthritis.

In the first instance simple treatment measures can be used to try and reduce your symptoms. These may include: Appropriate footwear / footwear adaptations But they can sometimes cause problems if they rub against bone or muscles, affect your movement or put pressure on nerves. Apply crushed ice/frozen peas wrapped in a damp towel for 10-20 minutes, 2-3 times per day for the first 5-7 days post injury/ flare up of pain. If your symptoms do not get better, you may also be referred for other tests. Treatments for bursitisFusion: if the joint is very badly damaged, then fusing it shut is a good choice, as this operation has a very high success rate. Although it sounds alarming, the loss of motion of the main toe joint is well accommodated by the other joints of the foot and the pain relief is excellent. Hydrocortisone injections can make some health problems worse so it's important that your doctor monitors you. The toe may be either too high or too low for example. It doesn¡t usually cause a issue which requires further surgery and can be accommodated with insoles. If you have been having hydrocortisone injections for longer than 3 weeks, or you have been prescribed a high dose, your doctor or pharmacist will give you a blue steroid treatment card. have a high temperature, chills, a very sore throat, ear or sinus pain, a cough, pain when you pee, mouth sores or a wound that will not heal – these can be signs of an infection

Osteotomy: this involves realigning the joint. It is only indicated in certain circumstances, but preserves joint motion and can be helpful in mild to moderate cases. For those with ongoing symptoms that are affecting quality of life, then surgery is often an attractive option. Motion and joint-preserving procedures are preferred wherever possible but it is worth noting that even joint fusion surgery has good results when indicated.If you produce too much uric acid or your kidneys don’t filter enough out, it can build up and cause tiny sharp crystals to form in and around joints. These crystals can cause the joint to become inflamed (red and swollen) and painful. Your GP may suspect gout based on your symptoms. Sometimes further tests will be needed to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possible causes. Seeing your GP diuretics (water tablets)– used to treat high blood pressure or an abnormal build-up of fluid in your body

Orthotics/insoles may be of some benefit by off-loading the big toe joint reducing the stress. These can also be used to reduce the flexibility of shoes.

POLICE is an acronym (Protection, Optimal Loading, Ice, Compression and Elevation) that is used as a management strategy for many injuries and conditions for the first 24 to 72 hours. Beer, fortified wines like port, and spirits do this more than wine. Moderate consumption of wine – one or two glasses a day – shouldn’t significantly increase your risk of gout. Sugary drinks Even if your child's growth slows down, it does not seem to have much effect on their overall adult height. The main joint of the big toe is under significant stress when walking and this may be why, in some cases, it is prone to osteoarthritic changes. With each step, a force equal to twice your body weight passes through it. Hallux rigidus can also be caused by a previous injury or another medical problem such as gout. What are the symptoms? Pain in the big toe joint If gout is affecting your mood or making everyday life difficult, talk to your GP. They will be able to offer treatment and support.