Turf toe?

Turf Toe: sounds scary, right? Well if you’re a coach and you hear your star player has turf toe, you might be a little scared. Turf toe for those non athletes who have never heard of it is when the ligaments around the big toe joint are sprained. Now, why is it called turf toe? Because it normally happens to football players on artificial turfs. Now, if you want to learn more about turf toe, how it’s caused, and what to do if you get it, you’re in the right place.

When our body walks or runs, we raise our heel and then place all of our body weight on the ball of our foot. Next we essentially “push off” with our big toe and the process continues on the other foot. Let’s say instead of “pushing off” your big toe stays flat on the ground, but a normal stepping movement still occurs, that would be a case of hyperextension (meaning: above the normal ability of your toe to extend). If this happens multiple times, the ligaments around the big toe can be sprained, leading to turf toe. Luckily, this injury usually quick and sudden and now slow and drawn out.

If you have swelling or pain in your big toe, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with Dr. Mark Forman DPM at his Scottsdale office, so you can get an official diagnosis. Once there, the best way to treat turf toe is the RICE method. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation is usually the most effective way to treat any foot injury. Dr. Forman will also recommend over the counter oral medication like Advil or Ibuprofin. In very extreme cases of Turf toe, the doctor may give you a special cast or boot to help keep pressure off the toe. For pain to truly subside, it could take two to three weeks.

Now, Dr. Forman believes that it's better to be safe than sorry. So one way to prevent turf toe is to to wear the best shoes possible for any sport you do. If you need help determining the right shoe, Dr. Forman will be happy to help! Make an appointment today!