The following is drawn from coverage of Shaquille O'Neal's podiatric surgery at UCLA Medical Center — illustrating the kind of complex, high-stakes foot care that the Westwood podiatric community is uniquely equipped to provide.
Operation Goes Well on Shaq's Toe
Lakers: Center Has Already Regained Range of Motion; Recovery Time Is Six to Eight Weeks
By Tim Brown, Times Staff Writer
Shaquille O'Neal came out of surgery in the early hours of Wednesday morning to familiar faces at his hospital bedside — Laker officials and O'Neal's own team among them. He grinned and offered a characteristically spirited gesture to the assembled crowd, and they laughed, because they knew then that he was going to be fine.
The force behind three consecutive Laker championships — and the predominant reason the franchise expected a fourth — O'Neal woke up, stood up, and walked away from surgery on his arthritic big toe, achieving the minimum required for what his surgeon later called a successful procedure.
The Procedure
Dr. Robert Mohr, chief of podiatric surgery at UCLA Medical Center, reported that surgeons encountered nothing unexpected during the 45-minute operation. The procedure cleared bone spurs from the first joint of O'Neal's right big toe — the same type of arthritic spur that sidelines countless patients who never receive proper care.
The specific surgical technique used was a cheilectomy — a procedure in which bone spurs are carefully removed from the top of the joint, restoring the range of motion necessary for athletic activity.
"This type of procedure is probably the least troublesome, complication-wise, and that's one of the reasons we chose it," Dr. Mohr said. "Plus, that's all that was indicated in his case."
Why the Surgery Was Necessary
Before surgery, the arthritic joint allowed O'Neal approximately 30 degrees of movement. Normal athletic activity requires 60 to 80 degrees of motion at the great toe joint. The bone spurs had gradually reduced that range, forcing O'Neal to compensate in his gait and limiting his explosiveness on the court.
O'Neal had sat out 10 games the previous season because of the ache in his toe. The pain affected his mood and his mobility, and anti-inflammatory medication caused stomach problems. Despite the limitations, he played his best basketball in the playoffs and won his third consecutive NBA Finals MVP.
The Result
Range of motion at the joint improved immediately and significantly following the surgery. Dr. Mohr predicted O'Neal would begin riding a stationary bike within two weeks and running within six weeks — putting him on track to be ready before or shortly after the start of the regular season.
"As far as the future, we're very confident he's going to have a complete recovery. From what I've seen, I see no reason not to continue with that belief."
What Shaq's Surgery Teaches Us
The arthritic big toe joint (hallux limitus or hallux rigidus) that Shaquille O'Neal experienced is not unique to elite athletes. It affects people of all activity levels, often going undiagnosed and untreated for years. The progression — from mild stiffness to bone spur formation to significant loss of motion — is gradual and manageable when caught early.
At Arnold Ross DPM & Associates, we treat the full spectrum of big toe joint conditions — from early-stage stiffness addressed with orthotics and footwear modification, to advanced cases requiring surgical intervention. If your big toe joint is stiff, achy, or limiting your activity, call us. You don't have to be Shaq to deserve expert care.
The Lesson for Every Patient
Bone spurs in the foot are not inevitable consequences of aging that must simply be endured. With proper biomechanical management — custom orthotics, appropriate footwear, and timely professional care — the progression of arthritis in the foot can often be slowed significantly, and surgery avoided entirely.
When surgery is necessary, modern podiatric surgical techniques are safe, precise, and highly effective — as Shaquille O'Neal's experience demonstrates.
Have questions about celebrity care: shaquille o'neal's toe surgery? Our physicians are here to help. Call us at (310) 475-5377 (Westwood) or (323) 655-3668 (Wilshire) — or stop in for your free initial examination.