Tackle Turf Toe Before It Hits You
Turf toe is a sprain that occurs at the base of the big toe where it meets the ball of the foot. It is called turf toe because it typically results from either jamming the toe on the turf, or pushing off repeatedly when running or jumping, especially on artificial turf fields. Turf toe is a very common injury in athletes and weekend warriors that play soccer, football, baseball, wrestling, gymnastics and even basketball.
What Causes Turf Toe
A turf toe injury can occur when an athlete pushes off the ground, the big toe can be hyper-extended and ligaments sprained. They are actually tearing the capsule that surrounds the joint at the base of the toe. This causes a sprain due to the toe being hyper-extended excessively. Some symptoms to watch for with turf toe included:
Pain
Swelling
Limited movement at the base of the toe
Treating Turf Toe
Use the R.I.C.E. method for home care to help treat your turf toe injury. Rest the foot, apply ice frequently, use an elastic bandage to compress the area and elevate the leg. Anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen can also help ease the pain and swelling. In addition, avoid the sport or activity that caused the injury for about three weeks to allow the joint capsule to heal. If the injury and pain persists you may have a more serious issue and should see a podiatrist or foot and ankle specialist.
Podiatrist treatments for turf toe can include:
Over-the-counter or prescription medications to ease pain and reduce inflammation.
‘Buddy’ tapping the big toe to the next one to immobilize the joint.
Use of a cast with crutches or a walking boot to further stabilize the area.
Add special inserts to your shoe to support and stabilize the big toe
With these treatments, the pain should diminish over a couple of weeks. We may prescribe physical therapy to further loosen and strengthen the area. Once returning to activities, special inserts, can be used to limit the motion of the big toe and prevent further damage to the joint capsule.
Preventing Turf Toe
You can minimize the risk of turf toe by wearing the appropriate sports footwear with lots of support. Properly designed footwear specific to the sport or activity you are playing can help prevent excessive bending of the toe when pushing off the ground. In addition, ensuring your footwear fits properly (correct size and are tied tight) on your feet can help support your entire foot and prevent multiple injuries.
Regardless, if you suspect that you have sustained a turf toe injury, please contact Sims & Associates Podiatry. While following the above home treatments for turf toe might resolve your injury, depending on the severity of your injury you may need professional help. Having a podiatrist assess your injury up front will ensure proper treatment is begins immediately which will get you back to playing your sport as soon as possible.
