I was a PA for a foot & ankle ortho surgeon for 5 years. It's been a minute, but I might still remember some stuff.
If the arthritis is within the IP joint (joint within the toe), you can fuse that and immediately weightbear as tolerated in a post-op shoe.
Generally, it's in the MTP joint, where the toe meets the foot, and is called hallux rigidus. Unless things have changed dramatically since 2018, you DO NOT want to do a joint replacement. It will likely fail and fusion becomes much more difficult. Fusion requires I believe 4 weeks entirely off the foot and an additional 4 weeks in a post-op shoe. It takes some adjustment, but I believe most people are able to return to most activities.
Sometimes you can just shave off bone spurs, as your wife had done. Also, a carbon fiber insert can help limit motion, and thus pain, through the joint. Stiff-soled shoes will be your friend regardless of the route you choose.
OTOH, pain with covers touching is a hallmark of gout, but if you have significantly limited dorsiflexion, along with pain, that's almost certainly arthritis.