What is Turf Toe?
Turf toe is a sprain to the ligaments around the big toe joint, which works primarily as a hinge to permit up and down motion. An excessive upward motion called hyperextension can — either over time or, if forceful enough, all at once — cause a sprain in the ligaments that surround the joint. The most common symptom of turf toe is pain at the base of one big toe that started suddenly as a result of an injury. There may also be swelling. Sometimes when the injury occurs, a “pop” can be felt. Usually the entire joint is involved, and toe movement is limited.
What causes Turf Toe?
Typically with turf toe, the injury is sudden. It is most commonly seen in athletes playing on artificial surfaces, which are harder than grass surfaces and to which cleats are more likely to stick. It can also happen on a grass surface, especially if the shoe being worn doesn’t provide adequate support for the foot. Often the injury occurs in athletes wearing flexible soccer-style shoes that let the foot bend too far forward.
How Is Turf Toe Treated?
The basic approach to treating turf toe is to give the injury ample time to heal, which means the foot will need to be rested. The big toe may be taped or strapped to the toe next to it to relieve the stress on it; the toe may be immobilized by putting the foot in a cast or special walking boot that keeps it from moving. The podiatrist may also ask you to use crutches so that no weight is placed on the injured joint.
It typically takes two to three weeks for the pain to subside. After the immobilization of the joint ends, some patients require physical therapy in order to re-establish range of motion, strength, and conditioning of the injured toe.
Your podiatrist can also work with you on correcting any problems in your gait that can lead to injury and on developing training techniques to help reduce the chance of injury.
WARNING : This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional podiatric advice. Treatment will vary between individuals depending upon your diagnosis and presenting complaint. An accurate diagnosis can only be made following personal consultation with a Podiatrist.