The sagittal comparison between metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis and normal joint anatomy. The normal metatarsophalangeal joint displays cartilage covering the articulating ends of the bones and when flexion occurs, the smooth cartilage covered bones slide across each other. The joint with severe osteoarthritis shows the breakdown of cartilage and joint surfaces and when flexion occurs, the movement of the arthritic joints lead to pain and inflammation that worsens over time.
