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When it comes to treating hallux limitus and hallux rigidus, I’ve been an implant guy for years. Implant arthroplasty (Mayo-Keller bunionectomy) is simply what I learned to use in my residency training 30 years ago. In cases of stage 4 hallux limitus (HL), I’ll opt for a great toe implant over a fusion any day. My logic is that it’s simple; what I would want to have? I wouldn't want a stiff toe. I’d like to maintain the natural range of motion of my great toe joint.

The plantar plate is a broad, firm pad of tissue found on the plantar surface of the metatarsal phalangeal joint. The plantar plate is often referred to as a ligament but is actually firm fibro-cartilage and resembles the menisci of the knee.

We recently got into a discussion at the shop about dancer's pad and placement on the foot. Which pad is the right pad and which is the left? How does the left fit on the right foot? How does a right treat a left? I see how folks can get confused.

One of the guys at work was holding a Vasyli-Dananberg Orthotic and gave me a smirk and said, What do you do with this? Opportunity was knocking at my door. We'll be talking this week at work about 1st ray mechanics and how the Vasyli-Dananberg Orthotic is used to treat hallux limitus.

In January, I wrote a series of six blog posts regarding carbon fiber orthotics, detailing the uses and applications for each of our carbon fiber inserts. In our staff meeting this week, my boss, business partner and wife gently reminded me, 'honey, you forgot to write about spring plates.' Wow, my bad. Spring plates are the single most popular carbon fiber insert we sell. Like the old Steve Martin comedy routine, all I could do was hit my forehead with the palm of my hand and say, 'I forgot!' So, here's part 7 of the original 6 part series.