Clinical Intake — Hallux rigidus

A 68-year-old female with well-controlled hypertension and type 2 diabetes presents with an 18-month progressive course of pain and rigidity at the base of the right great toe, exacerbated by walking and any activity requiring dorsiflexion. She has trialed shoe inserts without adequate relief, and her symptoms have continued to worsen despite conservative management. She has no prior foot surgery and her diabetes remains well controlled (HbA1c 6.8–7.1%). Having exhausted non-operative options, her treating podiatrist recommends further evaluation to address the progressive functional limitation.