The Trials and Tribulations of Turf Toe

turf toe symptoms and causes Turf toe gets its name because it happens a lot with sports played on turf such as football or soccer, but the injury can also occur to a dancer. It simply refers to an injury that involves damage to the soft tissue surrounding the big toe joint. This injury occurs as a result of excessive bending of the toe beyond its normal range of motion. It is a sprain of the ligaments surrounding the big toe joints.

Your ability to walk and run depends on you being able to raise your heel, flex through the ball of the foot, push off of the big toe in order to shift your weight to the opposite foot and take another step. If an athlete’s foot gets jammed into the ground with considerable force and the big toe hyper extends backward, the injury occurs. It normally is a sudden injury, but it can occur over time.

Pain is sudden and intense, similar to a sprained ankle. The toe may then become more rigid, less flexible and develop arthritis. When the toe is more rigid, the likelihood of re-injury is greater. Turf toe has to be given sufficient time to heal. Failure to do so may result in chronic injury, and the player may never fully recover to pre-injury capabilities.

Causes of turf toe include:

Running, jumping and fast lateral movement on hard ground.
Not wearing the correct cleats for your sport.
Shoes with too much flexibility in the forefoot.

Turf toe is normally treated with:

Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
Anti-inflammatory medications

Allowing ample time to heal is critical, and sometimes it may be required to wear stiff soled footwear in order to prevent over flexing the joint. Some athletes may tape their toes or have a plate in their shoe that prevents hyper-flexion and the possibility of injury during their games.

The amount of pain may vary so it might not be your best indicator of whether you need treatment. Play it smart and seek treatment for any injury you suspect might be turf toe. This type of injury can worsen and cause a chronic problem. Call Dallas Podiatry Works for help. Drs. Joel Brook, Arroyo, and McClurkin are the sports injury experts you need. Call the Dallas office at 972.853.7100 or Plano at (972) 943-3323 and put yourself in the hands of a specialist who can minimize your down time.

The doctor has great “bedside manners” when talking to patients. Great staff and comfortable atmosphere.

Derrick W.

The staff at Dallas Podiatry Works could not have been more courteous, helpful, and professional in doing their job. They made me feel comfortable when I was there, which is certainly appreciated. They answered all the questions that I had and just made each visit the most pleasurable that it could be. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing this type of foot care.

Joseph B.

I would highly recommend Dr. Brook to anyone with foot problems–especially problems that stump other podiatrists. He really is very caring and very knowledgeable.

Jeannette H.

Dr. Joel Brook and the staff were nice and helpful. Though I was a new patient, I got right in as soon as they were open in my preferred location. They diagnosed the problem and provided medicines along with a perfect gel bandage so I could keep exercising while my toes healed. My toes already hurt less and look a little better each day. If I have future issues, I will be a repeat customer. Here’s hoping I don’t, but at least I know my feet are in good hands.

Meryl E.

I visited this office for an ingrown toe nail a few years ago. After seeing another doctor, who made it worse, he referred me to Dallas Podiatry Works. The doctor there was able to fix my problem. I’m not great with reviews, all I can tell you is that this doctor and staff will have you up and running or doing whatever it is you do in no time. You will be in great hands. You’d be a fool not to use this doctor. Now its time to visit him again for the other toe.

Google User

Been having bad ankle pains for 6 months was referred here and it was a great visit ladies in the front desk medical assistants and the Doctor were all very friendly and make you feel very comfortable.