Big Toe Problems
Did you know the most common site of osteoarthritis in the human body besides the knee, is the great toe joint? Bunions are a common cause of great toe joint pain, but so is plain old arthritis (hallux limitus/rigidus). The great toe joint also happens to be the most common site for gout to attack. Recurrent gout attacks can cause painful arthritis to the joint as well. If you have pain and want an opinion please see the Ask Dr. Adams page.

Did you know – Most surgeons do not have additional Fellowship training?
Fellowships are not a requirement for surgeons following the completion of a surgical residency. They are completed to allow the mastery of particular procedures, and provide top notch care.
Dr. Adams is one of the few surgeons in the state of Indiana that completed a Foot and Ankle Fellowship that specifically researched treating failed great toe joint replacement surgery with autograft.

If you have a chronic toe pain, and have questions or concerns, please feel free to call Doctor Adams at (317) 477-6683 or schedule a consultation online.
Dr. Adams is a born and raised Hoosier. He attended Indiana University-Bloomington where he met his wife Allison. He got degrees in Nutrition Science, Biology and Chemistry. Dr. Adams then got his doctorate from Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine where he was a Dean’s List student. He then came back to Indianapolis to do his residency surgical training and was Chief resident. He stayed in Indianapolis and completed a specialty Fellowship focusing on Adult and Pediatric Reconstruction. During his Fellowship Dr. Adams helped launch the first foot and ankle dedicated surgical practice at Hancock Orthopedics, and has been employed there since.

Dr. Adams enjoys teaching as he helps educate and train the surgical residents at Community Health Network, and the Fellows at American Health Network. He actively participates in research and editing for national peer reviewed journals.
He is also a consultant for orthopedic device companies where he is afforded the opportunity to help train and design with other surgeons across the country.
Dr. Adams has special interests in the following areas:
Dr. Adams is a father of two and resides with his family in Fishers. He enjoys the short commute to Hancock Health in Greenfield.
Bunion Deformity
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Request ConsultationHallux Varus
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Request ConsultationSesamoid Pathology
There are two small bones that live under the great toe joint. They are the same type of floating bone your kneecap or patella is. The alter the pull of the muscle tendon that glides over them. They have cartilage on them so they can glide underneath the metatarsal head during gait. These bones at times can become very painful due to a variety of issues. Generally when these small bones are inflamed it is referred to as sesamoiditis.
Sesamoiditis can be a very painful condition at times. It is often seen in people with extra force being repetitively applied (runners, ballet dancers, etc) to the great toe joint. When these bones and the joint they make up become inflamed they often need aggressive conservative therapy such as anti-inflammatories (oral and injected), RICE therapy, a short walking boot, and orthotics. It is rare this becomes a surgical issue. See cavus feet for more discussion on when it can become a chronic issue.
Arthritis – yes, believe it or not, because these bones have cartilage on their surface that glides underneath the metatarsal head they can become painful due to cartilage loss and arthritis. When they become degenerative enough and conservative care fails, occasionally we will recommend a great toe joint fusion. This is only recommended in instances when patients have failed all other options. It’s important to know this is a definitive treatment option that reliably does provide resolution of symptoms. Isolated sesamoid removal is often an unpredictable, poor outcome surgery – long term. Removing these bones drastically alters the functionality of the great toe joint in a bad way.
Sesamoid fractures from trauma and stress happen occasionally too. These fractures are painful and can take a long time to heal 2-4 months. However they typically will get better in time and surgery is generally not recommended.
Request ConsultationStiff Big Toe Joint (Hallux Rigidus)
Great toe joint arthritis – or in medical terminology known as Hallux Rigidus/Limitus, is an extremely common condition. In fact, one of the most common places in the human body to develop wear and tear arthritis (osteoarthritis) besides the knee, is the great toe joint. When the cartilage in the joint gets thin, and continued jamming occurs, this encourages bone growth around the margins of the joint to form causing painful spurs that can enlarge the joint and rub in shoe gear. Patients often notice a bump they mistakenly refer to as a bunion. This great toe joint issue is different from a bunion in that it does not typically involve an angular deformity.