What is "turf toe" and how should it be treated?
Turf toe is an injury in the big toe joint when ligaments, tendons and soft tissues in the joint stretch or tear. It's a common injury among football players and athletes who sprint or jump. Turf toe usually gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers. Severe turf toe injuries may need surgery.
What is the best way to treat a turf toe?
What is the fastest way to cure turf toe?
- Rest from the activity that caused the injury.
- Use cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Use an elastic compression band to help prevent additional swelling.
- Elevate your leg to limit swelling.
- Take over-the-counter pain medicine (not exceeding the recommended dose)
How to minimize turf toe recovery time?
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How can I treat a turf toe injury?
- Time off from sports activity. Normally, people with grade 2 turf toe need 3 to 14 days of rest.
- Adjust footwear. As with grade 1 turf toe, it is recommended to for people with grade 2 injuries to modify footwear by using a turf toe plate or Morton’s extension.
- Immobilization. ...
- Progressive movement and exercises. ...
What is the fastest way to cure turf toe?
How is turf toe treated?Rest from the activity that caused the injury.Use cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.Use an elastic compression band to help prevent additional swelling.Elevate your leg to limit swelling.Take over-the-counter pain medicine (not exceeding the recommended dose)
Will turf toe heal on its own?
See your provider right away if pain is severe, you can't put weight on your foot or the toe joint looks dislocated. A turf toe injury can put you on the sidelines for days or weeks. But with self-care and proper treatment, turf toe injuries usually heal without long-term problems.
How long does it take for turf toe to go away?
The more severe your turf toe injury, the longer it'll take for complete healing to occur. Grade 1 injuries may resolve partially or fully within one week. Grade 2 injuries may take around 2 weeks to resolve. Grade 3 injuries may require anywhere from 2 to 6 months before healing is complete.
What is a treatment for turf toe taping?
0:041:15Taping for a 'turf toe' - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUp. Then apply a support strip of two point five centimeter or one inch tape around the middle ofMoreUp. Then apply a support strip of two point five centimeter or one inch tape around the middle of the foot. Directly up to the big toe ensure the tape is in the desired position before fixing it.
Is Epsom salt good for turf toe?
The Healing Benefits of Epsom Salt Foot Soaks You can even use Epsom salt baths to relieve a number of foot complaints and conditions, including: Athlete's Foot: While Epsom salts don't kill the fungus that causes athlete's foot, it can help draw the moisture out.
Does xray show turf toe?
Diagnosing turf toe He or she will look for symptoms and test your range of motion. Your injury could be a slight stretching, hyperextension, or tear of the tendon. You may need an x-ray or MRI if your injury looks to be more severe. This will allow your doctor to rule out a fracture, or other more serious injury.
Can turf toe get worse?
The most common symptoms of turf toe include pain, swelling, and limited joint movement at the base of one big toe. The symptoms develop slowly and gradually get worse over time if it's caused by repetitive injury.
Can you get an injection for turf toe?
For many people, an injection of a corticosteroid will do the trick and they will get relief. For others, cortisone may provide temporary relief but the problems of the big toe will return and in most cases be much worse.
Do turf toe braces work?
0:054:11Turf Toe Brace | This Soft Treatment Splint Works Better Than TapingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRunning wrestling ballet and many more this brace works to alleviate pain and discomfort from turfMoreRunning wrestling ballet and many more this brace works to alleviate pain and discomfort from turf toe by reducing hyperextension of the big toe and reinforcing. Your ligaments.
Does KT Tape help turf toe?
0:094:26KT Tape: Turf Toe - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRunning on hard surfaces. Or constant over extension of the toe from kneeling KT Tape helps treatMoreRunning on hard surfaces. Or constant over extension of the toe from kneeling KT Tape helps treat this condition by providing stability and support while maintaining range of motion.
How do you apply KT Tape to turf toe?
1:312:30STRENGTHTAPE® | Kinesiology Tape | Turf Toe - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd apply directly over the previous strip until you get to the. End.MoreAnd apply directly over the previous strip until you get to the. End.
How do I know if my toe pain is serious?
See a doctor if:the toe is very swollen.the pain is severe and does not go away after several hours.it is difficult to walk or to put weight on the foot.the toenail falls off or the area around it is very swollen.there are signs of infection around the toenail, such as itching, redness, and pus.
When should I see a doctor for turf toe?
While turf toe injuries can be mild, a person should make an appointment with their doctor if they find it too painful to walk on the affected foot or if other physical activities, such as running and playing sports, become difficult.
Can you still play with turf toe?
Athletes can often return to play with a combination of “turf toe taping,” shoe wear modification, or application of a more rigid insole.
Can you exercise with turf toe?
In many cases, an athlete may return to sports within a few weeks. Often, your physical therapist will have you do strength and weight-bearing exercises almost immediately. Grade 2. A brace or walking boot may be prescribed for several weeks to restrict movement and allow rest.
Can you still run with turf toe?
Once your turf toe has healed, it's tempting to get right back to your usual running routine. This is not a good idea. You need to ease back into running gradually to avoid reinjuring the joint. Start with walking, gradually interspersed with short distances of jogging.
Why is turf toe so firm?
This can cause you to sprain or injure your toe and the ligaments that surround it. Turf toe got its name from American football. Artificial turf has become more common than real grass on many football fields because it’s much cheaper to take care. Turf is much firmer than grass because there’s no soil underneath.
How do you know if you have a turf toe?
What are the symptoms of turf toe? The most noticeable symptom of turf toe is pain around the big toe area, including the joint that goes up your foot toward your ankle. You might feel the pain right away if your toe bends suddenly and quickly.
What causes a toe to bend?
Turf toe is caused by bending the big toe too far back toward your foot. When this happens, the big toe area and the MTP joint, known as the plantar complex, can get injured. Areas that may be affected with turf toe include: 1 sesamoids: two small bones that help absorb weight on the front of your foot 2 flexor hallucis brevis: a tendon that helps the big toe when you put your weight on it when running or jumping 3 collateral ligaments: bands of tissue that connect your toe bones and keep the big toe from bending too much to either side of your foot 4 plantar plate: a structure that keeps your big toe from being bent too far up
What keeps your big toe from bending too much?
collateral ligaments: bands of tissue that connect your toe bones and keep the big toe from bending too much to either side of your foot. plantar plate: a structure that keeps your big toe from being bent too far up. You can get this type of injury doing any activity that involves putting a lot of weight on your big toe.
Why do football players get turf toes?
Ballet dancers, basketball players, and wrestlers can also get turf toe because they’re constantly using their feet on hard surfaces. This injury is a type of metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint sprain.
What does a doctor do if your toe is hurting?
They’ll also push on your toe to see where the pain is coming from and move your toe around to test your toe’s range of motion. Let your doctor know if this causes a lot of pain.
How to keep big toe from moving?
Ice: Apply a cold pack or ice in a plastic bag to the area to keep the swelling and inflammation down. Compression: Wrap a bandage around the foot and toes. Keeping the big toe taped to your other toes can keep it from moving too much and making the injury worse.
How to treat turf toe injury?
Acute turf toe injuries are ordinarily managed with a few weeks of immobilization: using a walking boot or crutches, at least initially. Physical therapy. Early movement is important to avert or limit stiffness; it is also advised to initiate physical therapy early to stretch and support the big toe. Rest.
Why is it important to treat turf toe injuries early?
It is important to address turf toe injuries early. Early treatment facilitates healing and a reduction in symptoms. An ignored turf toe injury may result in a challenging repair and the likelihood of excessive swelling and extended inflexibility. Importantly, athletes may or may not be able to return to athletic competition in these situations. 1.
What to do with grade 2 turf toe?
As with grade 1 turf toe, it is recommended to for people with grade 2 injuries to modify footwear by using a turf toe plate or Morton’s extension. Immobilization. A physician may also prescribe a walking boot to stabilize the MTP joint. Progressive movement and exercises.
What to wear for a big toe?
Toe protection. Orthotics provide support and reduce strain on the plantar complex. Athletes are advised to wear supportive shoes with a turf toe plate —a rigid carbon graphite insert—in order to restrict movement of the big toe.
How long should I ice my toes after a sprain?
For first 48 to 72 hours following the injury, it is recommended to ice the affected region two to three times each day for 20 minutes. 1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. To reduce pain and swelling, anti-inflammatory medications may be taken. Toe protection.
How to help a grade 1 toe?
Exercises such as cycling are also permissible with proper toe support. People with grade 1 turf toe are advised not to underestimate their injury. Rest is an important aspect of treatment, and athletic activity can worsen the sprain and its symptoms. Time off from sports activity.
What is the best way to protect your toe?
Light movements and mild exercises are permissible when protecting the toe by taping or using a boot. People can then proceed with activities like running, followed by push-off ones, such as jumping or pivoting. Grade 3. Immobilization.
How to treat a turf toe?
The basic treatment for treating turf toe, initially, is a combination of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (remember the acronym R.I.C.E). This basic treatment approach is to give the injury ample time to heal, which means the foot will need to be rested and the joint protected from further injury.
What is a turf toe?
“Turf toe” is the common term used to describe a sprain of the ligaments around the big toe joint. Although it’s commonly associated with football players who play on artificial turf, it affects athletes in other sports including soccer, basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, and dance. It’s a condition that’s caused by jamming the big toe or repeatedly pushing off the big toe forcefully as in running and jumping.
What is the sprain in the big toe called?
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. Just behind the big toe joint in the ball of your foot are two pea-shaped bones embedded in the tendon that moves your big toe called sesamoids.
How long does it take for a turf toe to get worse?
If it’s caused by a sudden forceful motion, the injury can be painful immediately and worsen within 24 hours.
How to rest a toe?
To rest the toe, the doctor may tape or strap it to the toe next to it to relieve the stress on it. Another way to protect the joint is to immobilize the foot in a cast or special walking boot that keeps it from moving. The doctor may also ask you to use crutches so that no weight is placed on the injured joint.
How long does it take for a toe to pop?
If it’s caused by a sudden forceful motion, the injury can be painful immediately and worsen within 24 hours. Sometimes when the injury occurs, a "pop" can be felt. Usually the entire joint is involved, and toe movement is limited.
How long does it take for a toe to heal after a toe injury?
In severe cases, an orthopaedic surgeon may suggest a surgical intervention. 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.
What is the best treatment for a turf toe injury?
Ice will help to manage the discomfort and reduce swelling, while compression will aid in stopping bleeding under the skin surface and prevent fluid accumulation in the joint and surrounding areas. Acute management of turf toe injuries includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE).
What is a turf toe?
Turf toe is an injury to the underside of the big toe and joint at the base of the big toe. This joint, the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, is commonly known as the "ball of the foot.". Turf toe is specifically a hyperextension of the big toe. This joint sprain of the big toe may involve damage to ligaments, tendons, ...
What does it mean when your turf toe hurts?
Turf toe usually has a traumatic sudden onset; most athletes suffering from this sports injury will recall exactly when and how the injury happened. An athlete who suffers from this condition may complain of pain around the ball of the foot, particularly on the bottom or plantar surface of the metatarsophalangeal joint.
What is the MTP joint injury?
Though often referred to as a ligamentous injury or sprain of the MTP joint, the tendons may be strained and bones may be fractured. American football players such as Tom Brady and Deion Sanders and soccer great George Best are among the notable athletes to have suffered from this sports injury.
What is the term for a bruised ball of the foot?
Metatarsalgia is from the repetitive irritation of the joints of the ball of the foot. The term "stone bruise" is commonly referred to as a specific localized pain and tenderness of the ball of the foot. "Turf toe" is a common athletic injury in which the tendon under the joint at the base of the big toe is strained.
Which muscles move the MTP?
The primary movers or muscles that move the joint of the MTP are the flexor hallicis brevis. Flexor hallicus longus are the muscles that plantar flex or curl the big toe; contraction of the extensor hallicus longus and brevis lift the toe and important muscles in normal foot function.
Is turf toe a serious injury?
While sometimes mild, which injured athletes can play through, turf toe is sometimes a more serious health condition and can be career-ending. The amount of damage to the ligaments, tendons, bones, and surrounding tissues determines the severity of the injury.
Immediately Following Turf Toe Injury
In turf toe injuries the injured junction is the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP joint). This joint is where the metatarsal bone meets the phalanx bone. The structures that surround this joint are called the plantar complex and are made up of ligaments, tendons, fibrous tissue, and two small bones called the sesamoids.
Preventing Turf Toe
The best injury treatment is prevention. If you are an athlete who plays on artificial turf then you need to do everything you can to prevent turf toe. The push-off motion on your toes in flexible athletic shoes is a poor combination that will likely lead to injury. Here are our best tips to prevent turf toe:
What is a soccer toe?
Soccer players also experience a high rate of these injuries, which in this arena is often referred to as “ soccer toe “. The term “turf toe ” is used for most type of injuries to the big toe, particularly as it relates to athletes. This injury generally occurs in the joint where the toe meets the ball of the foot (the metatarsophalangeal joint) ...
What happens when your toe gets stuck?
In the case of the toe joint, when it gets jammed it gets stuck. You have these two bones forced very close to each other and they quickly start to swell and calcify, which is the body’s natural response to high impact injury.
Is it easier to move a toe joint or a thumb joint?
If you move half an inch in one direction on a shoulder you’re in a whole other part of the anatomy. With a toe joint, however, it’s like a thumb joint, but only easier. I like to resolve turf toes quickly because if your toe hurts, you’re naturally going walk differently to avoid the pain.
Is turf toe black and white?
Very few things are as black and white. Every turf toe has an immobile joint, and every turf toe gets mobilized in the same way. And it’s very accessible. You can’t miss it. If you talk about the neck or the shoulder, for example, there are a lot of minute areas that make a big difference.
Does turf toe feel better after mobilization?
If you get it to move, then it feels better. In my experience, turf toe responds very quickly to mobilization treatment. So much so that the joint will work and feel about 80% better with one treatment and rarely take more than two or three for full resolution. Particularly for a high-end athlete.
What is the best way to fix turf toes?
Mobilization, taping and “rolling out” the foot are key to fixing turf toe problems. Mobilization promotes circulation and allows the joint to heal. Taping protects and stabilizes the joint. Rolling out reduces tension in the entire foot and helps prevents future injuries.
How long should I immobilize my turf toe?
Immobilization is generally recommended for up to 4 weeks following injury. While the Sports Illustrated quote above is from 1988, I imagine the incidence of turf toe has only increased with an increase in artificial turf fields. Still, the recommended treatment is the same old thing and the results are not impressive.
Why is my turf toe so bad?
The underlying problem with the turf toe is that you have 2 bones that meet at a joint, which is inflamed, possibly calcified and likely damaged. Moving and separating those two bones promotes micro-circulation, which works to flush out excess calcium and reduce swelling, allowing the joint to recover .
Who is the NFL wide receiver with turf toe?
If you are dealing with the pain and inconvenience of turf toe, you are in good company. Julio Jones, Falcon wide receiver and Eli Rogers, starting slot receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers are two high-end NFL athletes who are also been struggling with turf toe.
Should you tape a turf toe?
So, on extreme cases, the toe should be taped throughout the day, then re-taped after mobilization exercises.
