Posted on April 4, 2008 in Latest News
Turf toe is a condition in which the big toe bends upwards to an abnormal degree, causing pain at the bottom of the big toe, damage to the ligaments that connect the foot to the big toe, and damage to the joint capsule. A ligament is a tough band of tissue that attaches to joint bones.
When a player sustains a turf toe injury they are actually tearing the capsule that surrounds the joint at the base of the toe. Tearing this joint capsule can be extremely painful. Turf toe can occur after a very vigorous upward bending of the big toe. It got its name due to the fact that it occurs frequently in people who play games on artificial surfaces.
Causes
Turf toe occurs when the big toe is forced to extend beyond its normal range of motion. This hyperextension can be caused by:
Symptoms
Treatment
Treatment of turf toe consists of resting the sore toe, icing the area, and elevating the foot; anti-inflammatory medications may be recommended by your doctor. Athletes diagnosed with turf toe should avoid their sport for about three weeks to allow the joint capsule to heal.
Crutches may also be used to take pressure and weight off of the big toe. After 2 to 4 days, the person may be able to walk without the crutches. A brace is also recommended to protect the big toe by restricting its movement and preventing it from being injured again.
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