When you have a stiff big toe, walking can become painful and difficult. An unmovable big toe, or Hallux Rigidis, often is the most common form of arthritis in your foot, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

“Wear-and-tear” injuries also can wear down the articular cartilage, causing raw bone ends to rub together. A bone spur, or overgrowth, may develop on the top of the bone. This overgrowth can prevent the toe from bending as much as it needs to when you walk.

Symptoms

• Pain in the joint when you are active, especially as you push-off on the toes when you walk
• Swelling around the joint
• A bump, like a bunion or callus, that develops on the top of the foot
• Stiffness in the big toe and an inability to bend it up or down