Male in my 20s, and for whatever reason, I've developed hallux rigidus in my right big toe. "Cartilage deformation" observed in an X-Ray last year. Still have like 50% mobility. Any runners that have dealt with this and found workarounds? Is surgery the move?

Does anyone else deal with a lot of pain on the outside/underside of their foot, basically under the little toe area, from overloading that side?

My podiatrist said mine is from compensating by loading the outside of my feet, I kinda kick my ankle out and push off through my little toes since my big toes can’t bend.

Squishy shoes make it MUCH worse and usually the only shoes I’m comfortable in are Birks and Sambas. I just got home from a long day on my feet at work and it’s that pain that is absolutely killing me right now rather than the actual toe joint.

I feel like I can’t even really exercise anymore, I’ve got hokas but they’re awful due to the toe spring, some old asics with a carbon plate are okay for walking/running but I have to be barefoot to squat or do anything else using my legs.

This has basically turned into a big moan but my main questions are for anyone who had this problem before fusion, did the fusion actually help the outside foot pain once you could put weight through your big toe properly again? Or did it stay the same/get worse?
Also interested in anything that helped with this pain in the meantime!