Essentially turf toe is a sprained big toe.
The injury gets its name ‘turf toe’ because many of these injuries occur on turf, like during games of hockey, running, rugby…etc.
Most turf toe injuries happen suddenly causing damage to the bottom surface of the big toe joint, known as the plantar metatarsophalangeal-sesamoid complex, but can also progress over time from repetitive strain and pressure. Repetitive strain activities include high impact sports such as dancing, gymnastics / acrobatics and jumping track events.
If you do have turf toe, you may experience a painful, swollen and bruised big toe joint and possibly a tender big toe and ball for the foot as well and you may find it difficult to bear weight on that foot and limited movement in the affected joint. Turf toe injuries typically happen when you excessively and forcefully bend your toe upwards, damaging the joint capsule or the ligaments, tendons or muscles surrounding the joint. The resulting pain is often worsened by repeating the mechanism of injury (forced into hyperextension) which you can assess by pushing your toe upwards. If the injury is recent, you may not be able to do as the swelling in the joint will likely restrict your movement.
Turf toe injuries are often left improperly managed and can lead to chronic pain, worsened injury, prolonged recovery, reduced push-off strength, and eventually joint deformity if left untreated.
Immediately following a turf toe injury, you’ll want to follow the P.O.L.I.C.E. protocol of protection, optimal loading, ice, cryotherapy, and elevation to keep the pain levels manageable. Start by removing all weight from the injured big toe, apply ice, elevate the foot and buddy tape the big toe to the second toe to help keep the joint stable. Do not try to push or play through the pain.
Next, book your appointment with one of our podiatrists at Mount Lawley Physiotherapy and Podiatry. We will start by assessing the damage, understanding the way your foot functions (biomechanics), and implementing an individual treatment and rehab plan to help restore the joint integrity, and to reduce the likelihood of re-injuring the area in the future.
