Turf toe/ hallux limitus/ big toe arthritis and golf

[Donn Rutkoff]

Last posts are from 2022.  I want to hear if anyone had good surgery result for big toe OA.  I am 69, sooner or later will probably need the fusion.  I have custom made arch support that work well 4 or 5 days a week and not too well on some days.  I try different shoes, I also have off the shelf full arch support insoles recommended by my podiatrist, and small (about 5 inch long) size 42 German Ecco brand insert arch supports.  Some combos work, some don't, hard to tell when or why.

[Tanner25]

Have suffered with BT OA. Working from home, I recently slammed my bad toe on a chair and made it worse. Not ready for surgery. But, playing less golf. Hopefully, it will heal some for next year. No inserts, was getting by with pain killers.

Edited November 30, 2023 by Tanner25

[ChaosTheory]

I'm still rolling along with the shoes modified by LaRossa.  I'm telling you it's the way to go.  I've seen no noticeable deterioration of my toe since I began using the modified shoes a few years ago.  It's the best money I've ever spent on golf equipment.

[ChaosTheory]

An update on the Sqairz.  I have one pair with the right shoe stiffened by LaRossa, and one stock pair.  At first the stock pair was stiff enough.  Now it is not.  So I'm sending that shoe off to LaRossa for stiffening.

[Donn Rutkoff]

3 hours ago, Snowman9000 said:

An update on the Sqairz.  I have one pair with the right shoe stiffened by LaRossa, and one stock pair.  At first the stock pair was stiff enough.  Now it is not.  So I'm sending that shoe off to LaRossa for stiffening.

I bot a pair of sqz because I have stability issues.  but the sqz were too stiff and I couldn't rotate the back, right, foot, and walked stiffly.  I was 68 yr old with curved spine.  I realized my stability was the core muscles due to the spine/ muscle imbalance.  I don't swing fast enough for the Sqz to benefit me so I donated them to local First Tee.   I swing reg flex from the 5 wood on, but have to go to A flex on 3 wood and driver.  Don't have the back/shoulder muscle mass to whip the long club faster.  I worked on not swaying on my back swing and on the follow thru and that is my main practice range work. 

[Jersey golfer]

On 11/29/2023 at 11:40 PM, Donn Rutkoff said:

Hey Jersey, I have flattened archs and big toe arthritis, I have custom fit arch support insoles, but they work some days and not other days.  I can't tell why.  I had a good fit with a pair of FJs but today they hurt.  Can you tell me what kind of inserts you got?  Know anyone who has had toe fusion surgery?

I get my orthotics from my Podiatrist. He makes a mold of my feet and sends it in to Orth-Rite. Attached is the name of the company, and pictures of the orthotic. The blue top portion has some padding and the bottom is a stiff substance, possibly fiberglass, that prevents my big toe from bending too much. Sorry for the delay in responding. Hope this info is helpful, good luck.

Edited December 1, 2023 by Jersey golfer

[i*windows]

How are fellow toe sufferers getting along? Any updates on shoe recommendations or insoles? Been diagnosed this week with arthritis in my hand and also hallux rigidus in my left toe, which sucks. I've an appointment to get some custom insoles made but was wondering what shoes I should try. Stiff soles with wide toe box, any recommendations other than those in the Thread?

[Jose c.]

Got diagnosed with halliux limitus In 2008. I was 40 at the time,they said surgery ( fusing the joint) would limit me at my age. Next thing was cortozon shots,which I said no. Started wearing these spacers between big toe. Wore them anytime I had shoes on. I had several flare ups over that time with pain going from 0 to 10,severe pain. Now 16 yrs later,(haven't worn a spacer in 4 yrs) my toe found its happy place, all I do now is massage the bottom ball underneath big toe. I'm A walker on a semi hilly course with absolutely no issues, just have to be careful when I'm in my bare feet if I get  to active. Now people are getting toe next to big toe surgically removed, cause the big toe, grows under the toes.

Edited August 9, 2024 by Jose c.

[ChaosTheory]

On 8/9/2024 at 7:58 AM, i*windows said:

How are fellow toe sufferers getting along? Any updates on shoe recommendations or insoles? Been diagnosed this week with arthritis in my hand and also hallux rigidus in my left toe, which sucks. I've an appointment to get some custom insoles made but was wondering what shoes I should try. Stiff soles with wide toe box, any recommendations other than those in the Thread?

 

I've learned some things on this journey.  I at least have been able to not get worse in the several years since I started using modified shoes.  That's a big deal.

 

I don't need the rocker wedge in the forefoot sole that I showed in an earlier post.  And without it, the shoe and golf stance feels normal.  That's with the forefoot stiffening, which is simply a steel shank, inserted into the sole by Larossa Shoe Repair. 

I've been playing Sqairz modified by Larossa, but even though they have more room in the toe box than a lot of designs, they are still lacking for me.  I had to stop using the Vasyli Dananberg insoles because they effectively made the shoe fit smaller.  Now I'm using a thin foam one with an adhesive felt arch pad stuck to it.   More room equals happier feet.  (As I age, my feet are becoming wider.  Flattening, I suppose.)

 

Which brings me to an important point.  The big toe wants to comfortably point straight ahead, not be shifted inward, which is what happens in most shoes.  When you have hallux limitus, if you can have the toe pointing straight, you'll be way ahead of the game.   Some shoes are deceptive in that they look roomy in the toe box, but the big toe is still being shifted over, at least a little.  Pay close attention to this.  Learn to feel where the joint is and where the tip of the toe is, and if it's angled, it's harming your joint.

 

I'd love to get some golf shoes in which the toe box is shaped like a pair of Crocs.  I've found that wider shoes offer at least some help.  I'm going to start a new quest for something with more room than the Sqairz.  Then I'll have Larossa modify as usual.

 

I'm interested in trying the Viktry insoles, although I don't hold out much hope that they will be effective for this problem.

[Tanner25]

I'm getting by with less play and I like my Skechers go golf shoes and Curex insert for runners, will try the golf one next. 

 

Plus, I always take a cart. 

 

Stay away from hilly and mountain courses.

Edited August 19, 2024 by Tanner25

[ChaosTheory]

27 minutes ago, Tanner25 said:

I'm getting by with less play and I like my Skechers go golf shoes and Curex insert for runners, will try the golf one next. 

 

Plus, I always take a cart. 

 

Stay away from hilly and mountain courses.

This is not going to help keep my toe from over-extending.

 

[i*windows]

I've had custom othopedic footbeds made which are very stiff and I'm trying out these Asics shoes, which have a stiff sole and loads of support.

 

for those in pain I have found that a hot foot bath with salts and gently moving the toe in all directions has worked well to relieve pain and swelling

 

ASICS Trabuco Max 3.

 

Edited August 20, 2024 by i*windows

[Rbsiedsc]

On 8/19/2024 at 8:54 AM, ChaosTheory said:

 

I've learned some things on this journey.  I at least have been able to not get worse in the several years since I started using modified shoes.  That's a big deal.

 

I don't need the rocker wedge in the forefoot sole that I showed in an earlier post.  And without it, the shoe and golf stance feels normal.  That's with the forefoot stiffening, which is simply a steel shank, inserted into the sole by Larossa Shoe Repair. 

I've been playing Sqairz modified by Larossa, but even though they have more room in the toe box than a lot of designs, they are still lacking for me.  I had to stop using the Vasyli Dananberg insoles because they effectively made the shoe fit smaller.  Now I'm using a thin foam one with an adhesive felt arch pad stuck to it.   More room equals happier feet.  (As I age, my feet are becoming wider.  Flattening, I suppose.)

 

Which brings me to an important point.  The big toe wants to comfortably point straight ahead, not be shifted inward, which is what happens in most shoes.  When you have hallux limitus, if you can have the toe pointing straight, you'll be way ahead of the game.   Some shoes are deceptive in that they look roomy in the toe box, but the big toe is still being shifted over, at least a little.  Pay close attention to this.  Learn to feel where the joint is and where the tip of the toe is, and if it's angled, it's harming your joint.

 

I'd love to get some golf shoes in which the toe box is shaped like a pair of Crocs.  I've found that wider shoes offer at least some help.  I'm going to start a new quest for something with more room than the Sqairz.  Then I'll have Larossa modify as usual.

 

I'm interested in trying the Viktry insoles, although I don't hold out much hope that they will be effective for this problem.

How has your Journey gone? my arthirtis is kicking up in gear and I am trying to get through it. Hoka's help during non golf but when I did some speed training in my SQAIRZ today my toe started getting bothered. I have Aetrex insoles which are ok but do not limit the toe movement. Did toe spaces seem to help your toe from moving inward in the golf shoes? Did you have LaRossa turn your SQAIRZ into a Rocker sole?

Edited July 29 by Rbsiedsc

[ChaosTheory]

1 minute ago, Rbsiedsc said:

How has your Journey gone? my arthirtis is kicking up in gear and I am trying to get through it. Hoka's help during non golf but when I did some speed training in my SQAIRZ today my toe started getting bothered. I have Aetrex insoles which are ok but do not limit the toe movement. Did toe spaces seem to help your toe from moving inward in the golf shoes?

I have not gotten any worse since using the modified shoe.  Larossa slices the sole and inserts a steel shank that is centered under the forefoot.  I have found a local guy who is going to try to do it on my next pair.

 

 The other thing I’ve found is that I need a WIDE forefoot shoe.  Which usually means a wide shoe, but also with the full shape.  All of which helps the big toe sit straight.

 

If I golfed in regular flexible shoes, I’d be a lot worse.

[Rbsiedsc]

3 minutes ago, ChaosTheory said:

I have not gotten any worse since using the modified shoe.  Larossa slices the sole and inserts a steel shank that is centered under the forefoot.  I have found a local guy who is going to try to do it on my next pair.

 

 The other thing I’ve found is that I need a WIDE forefoot shoe.  Which usually means a wide shoe, but also with the full shape.  All of which helps the big toe sit straight.

 

If I golfed in regular flexible shoes, I’d be a lot worse.

interesting. Any loss in shoe stability?  I feel like the SQAIRZ I have (the new Velos) are not wide enough so I would need them widened and turned into rockers.

 

Just sent them an email to see what my options are. I am very thankful I found this thread! Thank you for providing info to people.

[ChaosTheory]

1 minute ago, Rbsiedsc said:

interesting. Any loss in shoe stability?  I feel like the SQAIRZ I have (the new Velos) are not wide enough so I would need them widened and turned into rockers.

 

Just sent them an email to see what my options are. I am very thankful I found this thread! Thank you for providing info to people.

Sqairz offered a limited run of wides.  I bought a pair.  But I am going to move on to wides of other brands.  
 

Larossa made my first 2 pairs into rockers.  But I came realize I didn’t need that.

 

 I didn’t have stability issues with any of them.

[getitdaily]

3 minutes ago, ChaosTheory said:

Sqairz offered a limited run of wides.  I bought a pair.  But I am going to move on to wides of other brands.  
 

Larossa made my first 2 pairs into rockers.  But I came realize I didn’t need that.

 

 I didn’t have stability issues with any of them.

New balance makes super wide

[Rbsiedsc]

19 minutes ago, getitdaily said:

New balance makes super wide

Ya I used to have new balance wide shoes but they wore out so quickly on me. Plus they were very heavy. Again that was three years ago and maybe they are better.