I had surgery for hallux rigidus at the age of 60. The surgical podiatrist did a cheilectomy and also repositioned the metatarsal bones. I was quite active physically at age 60 and Doc said that I would likely disintegrate any artificial joint and did not recommend that for me. Recovery took a full year but it improved my condition greatly. Every year I would think that some improvements are made in artificial joints, but I am glad that I took his advice back then. We discussed fusion initially but we both decided that we did not want to go that way, at least not then.