All You Need To Know About Turf Toe
Turf toe is the common name for a painful sprain of the ligament around the big toe joint. This condition is especially common in football, soccer, basketball and rugby players. The pain associated with turf toe can vary from mild to excruciating, with the severity depending on how severe the sprain is.
What is Turf Toe?
The damage from turf toe can hurt the front portion of your ankle, specifically the sesamoids, the two small bones that lie behind the big toe joint. A sprain of the sesamoid bones slows your movements and reduces your ability to run or walk. Any sprain or injury causes a lot of pain, so get an ice pack to help reduce that inflammation.
Causes and symptoms of turf toe
Turf toe is an injury that can sideline you for weeks and months at a time. The literal name of the injury comes from the area in which it's most commonly found: on a football field. It occurs when athletes jam or forcefully push off the big toes — a common move when running or jumping. Turf toe can occur in other sports, too.
Some of the symptoms include;
Pain in the big toe.
A popping noise or sensation when the injury occurs.
Reduced joint movement.
Swelling.
Treatments
Most sprained toe injuries heal with time and plenty of rest. If the pain is severe or ongoing, your podiatrist may recommend:
Rest: Depending on the severity of the injury, you may need to take a break from sports and activities for several days or weeks. If your toe is fractured, you'll need to use crutches while it heals. Your doctor can prescribe a walking boot if necessary.
Ice and elevation: To reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation after breaking your big toe, try the RICE method: Rest your leg, keep it elevated above heart level, apply ice to your toe, and compress your toe underneath a pillow.
Stabilization: Athletes can tape their toes in such a way to restrict over-flexion or over-extension of the joint, reducing pain and allowing the big and first toes to heal.
Orthotics: In addition to your running shoes, your orthotic provider may recommend custom or over-the-counter inserts. These cushions help provide relief and support for a number of common conditions like turf toe, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and fallen arches.
Surgery: Some turf toe injuries will require surgery to treat bone fractures or soft tissue damage. The type of surgery that's needed depends on the kind of damage that's done to the bones, muscles and nerves in the toes.
If you think you are suffering from turf toe, you should have your feet examined by a professional. Book an appointment with us today.