Stiff Big Toes

Does anybody have experience with loosening up stiff big toes? I'm experiencing a lot of pain from them even when I'm not working out. Doing a search online seems to indicate that there might be some kind of buildup in the bone that is causing a problem. I'm 45 so maybe I'm getting to this too late? I'd certainly like to avoid surgery so if anyone has experience and suggestions that would be great!!

You probably are experiencing some arthritis, but it could just be turf toe which will respond wonderfully to proper mobility work. I would second the recommendation for kit's foot sequence, and then make sure your shoes are not flexing your toe in a non-anatomical way that may be irritating the toe. while normally not a fan of more support in shoes, while this is healing you may want a shoe that is fairly stiff, to minimize the flexion at the great toe. then gradually transition to more normal shoes/barefoot walking a lot as it improves.

Thanks for the feedback on this. We'll see how it goes.

Try a lacrosse ball (self myofascial release).