Turf Toe Treatment Birmingham

Turf Toe

Introduction

Turf toe is the name given for a sprain of the ligaments that are attached to the big toe. This is a common injury that occurs with athletes of all levels and is a result of excessive bending of the big toe in a upward direction.

Causes

When you're running you lift the heel as you go into the propulsive phase, at a certain stage of the running sequence you put your entire body weight onto the ball of your foot and then onto your big toe to “push off”. If for some reason the toe doesn't push off then it jams into the ground then you can sprain the ligaments around the toe. This is a common injury on artificial turf.

Symptoms

Pain, swelling and reduced motion of the large toe is common.

Treatment

Initially you treat this condition with the protection, optimal loading, ice, compression, elevation (the acronym is P.O.L.I.C.E). Optimal loading aims to take advantage of the responsiveness of musculoskeletal tissues to stimuli in order to stimulate tissue repair in a manner that does not further aggravate the damaged tissues. Over the counter medication such as ibuprofen can help to reduce inflammation and control pain. Our podiatrist can diagnose and assess the joint and provide orthotics to reduce pressure to the big toe in order for the sprained structures to heal.