Turf toe is a sprain at the base of the big toe caused by stress on the ligaments controlling its range of motion. It can occur in athletic or non-athletic settings and is characterized by bruising, tenderness, and swelling. Treatment involves reducing swelling and immobilizing the toe through a combination of heat and cold, over-the-counter medication, and elevation. Severe cases may require medical attention.
Turf toes are injuries that occur on the big toe. Essentially, a turf bunion is a sprain at the base of the big toe, resulting from an unusual amount of stress placed on the ligaments that control range of motion for the toe. When the toe is extended beyond its normal range of motion, such as bending the toe in an awkward direction, the ligaments are stretched and usually slightly torn.
You can develop turf toe in a number of different settings. While the condition is normally associated with athletic activities that take place on artificial turf, you don’t have to be an athlete to suffer from this type of toe pain. Tripping while walking on natural or artificial grass can also eventually extend the toe beyond its normal limits and tear ligaments.
Recognizing turf toe is not difficult, as the condition has several physical characteristics, almost all of which are metatarsophalangeal in nature. A common sign of a mild case of turf toe or turf toe is the appearance of bruises around the sole of the foot and along the top of the big toe. In severe cases, the toe is extremely tender to the touch and there will be swelling of both the toe and the ball of the foot.
Due to the nature of turf toe, the individual suffering from this condition usually experiences a change in mobility. It is often painful to place any amount of weight on the affected foot, with any pressure applied to the ball of the foot being particularly uncomfortable. The walking process is also negatively affected by the fact that torn ligaments make it very difficult to push off using the big toe with severe bursts of pain. Due to the swelling, the big toe loses much of its normal range of motion.
Treating turf toe usually involves attempts to reduce the swelling and immobilize the big toe as much as possible. To this end it is often advised to alternate between applying heat and cold for the first twenty-four hours, with applying cold packs afterwards. Over-the-counter medications that help reduce the amount of inflammation in the area are also helpful in reducing pain and helping the swelling go down gradually. The foot should be elevated as much as possible, thus relieving the strain on the turf toe and allowing the torn ligaments to begin the healing process.
In situations with severe swelling, it is advisable to see a doctor immediately. A doctor can examine the toe and determine if the damage requires a cast to be placed on the area or if prescription anti-inflammatory medications would help. Most cases, however, can be treated at home and will not require a visit to the doctor. A simple regimen of applying cold to the swollen area, taking medicines to relieve inflammation, and elevating the foot for long periods will allow the turf foot to begin to subside within a matter of days.
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