Oh, No! Turf Toe!
Turf toe is a sport-related sprain to the ligaments of the big toe joint, usually resulting from sudden and/or excessive upward bending of the big toe joint. Typically, a turf toe injury is sudden. The condition is most often caused by jamming the toe, which is why it's frequently seen in football players. When playing on artificial turf, the foot can stick on the hard surface, jamming the big toe joint. It can also be the result of repetitive injury from pushing off the big toe repeatedly when running or jumping, making it common among participants in soccer, basketball, wrestling, gymnastics and dance.
If you have recently jammed your toe, be alert to signs and symptoms of turf toe including discomfort, swelling, and limited range of motion in the joint. These will likely begin around the time of the injury and will not abate with traditional RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) treatment or over-the-counter pain relievers. When turf toe is not the result of trauma but instead is a repetitive stress injury, the symptoms are more likely to begin slowly and can gradually worsen. Initially, they may be worse during activity and get better with rest, but they will become steady eventually.
If you are concerned about turf toe, the first step is to schedule a visit with your foot doctor. With years of specialized education and experience, your podiatrist is the best-qualified medical professional to help you. He or she will evaluate your history, examine your feet, and conduct tests to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, and then work with you to create an individualized and effective plan for treatment and ongoing care. Treatment options include rest, prescription medication, and immobilization. Surgery is rarely required. Treatment usually takes less than a month and is followed by physical therapy to return the joint to its former level of comfort and range of motion.
Contact James C. Ricketti, DPM and let us address all your foot and ankle needs. Our board-certified podiatrist will tailor treatments based on your individual needs and with our state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options, we’ll help you get back on your feet in no time! Call our office today at 609-587-1674 to make an appointment at our conveniently located Hamilton, NJ office.