180 patients with arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint were randomly assigned to receive either arthrodesis or hemiarthroplasty using a small synthetic cartilage implant (Cartiva). The purpose of this study was to compare these two techniques in terms of surgical time, recovery time, and clinical outcomes at up to 6 weeks postoperatively. The results displayed that surgical times were significantly lower in the hemiarthroplasty group when compared to first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis. No significant differences were noted between groups in terms of recovery times, pain, function and complications.