Small Toes, Huge Problems: Dealing With Lesser Toe Deformities

To me, one of the most difficult problems to treat is second metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint pain. A 45-year-old male presents with 6 weeks of pain at the second MTP joint, with a sudden onset while playing Frisbee. On examination, he has normal alignment of the forefoot, no swelling, and no sagittal plane instability of the second MTP joint. Radiographs are normal. How would you manage this initially, and how would you counsel him about his prognosis?