cheilectomy cheilectomy a cheilectomy is a surgical procedure that removes bone spurs from the base of the big toe. cheilectomyspecialtypodiatry patients with a condition called hallux rigidus, or arthritis of the big toe, have pain and stiffness in the big toe. the word cheilectomy comes from the greek word cheilos, meaning "lip." a cheilectomy removes the bone spurs, or lip of bone, that forms as a result of arthritis of the joint. removing the bone spurs, eases pain and lessens stiffness of the big toe.