Turf toe medically known as a metatarsophalangeal joint sprain is an injury that occurs when the big toe joint extends beyond its normal range. If the turf toe symptoms you experience are severe enough for you to contemplate visiting a doctor, then do visit a doctor. Is turf toe the same as plantar fasciitis? This helps your doctor know to examine your big toe for any pain, swelling, or other abnormalities that may indicate turf toe is the cause of toe pain and stiffness. You can still workout with Turf Toe. 1990;18(3):280-285. doi:10.1177/036354659001800311. Pain and loss of function of the joints and tissues around the joint may cause difficulty walking and maintaining balance. The first MTP joint is a hinge joint with sliding and rotational components. For instance, if you use it on a football field, it . . A decreased range of motion may predispose the joint to injury. This jointsprain of the big toe may involve damage to ligaments, tendons, or bone separately or in combination. Turf toe is an injury to the underside of the big toe and the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint located at the base of the big toe. The amount of damage to the ligaments, tendons, bones, and surrounding tissues determines the severity of the injury. Turf toe is a sprain of the main joint in the big toe. They may be able to inject a substance into your toe to numb it. 10 Ingrown Toenail Remedies: Natural, Medication, and More, tenderness or sensitivity around the toe and nearby joint, not being able to move the toe around normally. On average it takes 3-4 weeks with the correct management for most cases of Turf Toe to heal. Your injury could be a slight stretching, hyperextension, or tear of the tendon. . Elevation will drain and prevent fluid from accumulating in the joint. Turf toe injury does cause a lasting decrease in first MTP motion and increased plantar foot contact pressures in football players. More serious turf toe may take a month or more to . Treatment will depend on the injurys grade. . Grade 2: partial tearing of the plantar complex. How long does it take for turf toe to heal? Strength also plays a role. the body. Pressing a cold compress against the toe for 20 minutes at a time can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain. 2,4 Despite these sequelae, it is clear that grade 1 and 2 turf toe hyperextension injuries have good outcomes when treated non-operatively. These simple steps will help to ensure that turf lasts for its full lifespan. Seek medical advice if the area looks deformed, if there is loss of function or change in body movement, change of sensation, a large amount of swelling with pain, prolonged change of skin or toenail color, or if the affected area becomes warmer than the surrounding areas and becomes exquisitely tender to the touch. mild to moderate pain, inflammation, and fever. A bone spur is a small, bony protrusion that extends from a bone, often in the big toe or heel. . . 1996-2022 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Turf toe is a common sports injury that occurs when the bones and tissue around the big toe become damaged. Jason DelCollo, DO, is board-certified in family medicine and on the faculty of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Minor turf toe injuries can be treated at home and won't keep you from physical activities for very long. A good general health guideline is to compare the injured side to the uninjured side. You can run with Turf Toe if you dont have any pain while running or if the pain doesnt increase within 24 hours of a run. What Are the Best PsA Treatments for You? Return to sport after turf toe injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons says that the common mechanism of injury is to have the big toe or forefoot stuck on the ground as the heel raises and the foot is extended or plantar flexed. More serious turf toe may take a month or more to Occasionally, surgery may be necessary to repair or remove scar tissue or loose bodies that are in the joint. What follow-up care is needed after foot pain is treated? Contrast material may be injected into a vein or the spinal fluid to enhance the scan. It's been two weeks since I got Turf Toe; I've just been sitting around letting it rest, but it feels like it's not improving at all. A physician may prescribe stronger medications for inflammation. Your big toe has 2 joints. For instance, if you use it on a football field, it wont last as long as it will in your backyard. There are varying degrees of severity of the sports injury. While an athlete can heal from turf toe and return to sports, unfortunately, turf toe often returns and can reduce the long-term function of the big toe joint. Without recognition and treatment, turf toe injuries can affect a persons ability to walk, run, and play sports. Fatigue can be described in various ways. Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. Pain and tenderness may be accompanied by joint looseness, swelling, weakness, discoloration, and loss of function. Not only does turf toe result in a great deal of immediate pain, but over time the joint may become stiff, less flexible, and more prone to arthritis. Turf toe got its name because the injury became more common when football players began playing on artificial turf instead of grass. Once the severity and cause of foot pain is determined, a course of corrective and rehabilitative actions can be started. Grade 3: It will take as much as 2 to 6 months to fully heal. Acute management of turf toe injuries includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). A study of 15 football players with grade 3 injuries found they missed an average of 16.5 weeks of playing time while recovering from surgery. Seow D, et al. Robertson G, Goffin J, Wood A. Signs and symptoms of turf toe can include pain in the front of the foot, especially tenderness to touch, and swelling or bruising in the front of the foot. Review side effects, drug interactions, storage, dosage and pregnancy safety. More serious turf toe may take a month or more to . The metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint is the largest of these. Turf toe injury does cause a lasting decrease in first MTP motion and increased plantar foot contact pressures in football players. This joint, the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, is commonly known as the "ball of the foot." According to some researchers, there are currently no evidence-based guidelines for treating turf toe. Sunlight will cause the grass to wilt, so keeping the rolls in a shaded area will help reduce the temperature and increase the turf's life span slightly. It causes pain and stiffness in the joint, and with time, it gets increasingly harder to bend the toe. Wear stiff shoes when youre playing sports to keep your toe from bending too far. With severe injuries, surgery may be required. Ice will help to manage the discomfort and reduce swelling, while compression will aid in stopping bleeding under the skin surface and prevent fluid accumulation in the joint and surrounding areas. Reduction of strength and range of motion is also seen in acute and chronic ranges of motion. During this time, it's especially important to avoid putting pressure on the affected foot. The optimal treatment for grade 3 turf toe injuries with complete . The exact length of an artificial turf lawn that you purchase will depend on a number of factors that range from the quality of the turf you've purchased to how well you maintain it. Sometimes complete recovery may not occur, leaving the patient with a stiff or arthritic toe. This is not medical advice. Learn more about the differences between ligaments and tendons here. While sometimes mild, which injured athletes can play through, turf toe is sometimes a more serious health condition and can be career-ending. What is the prognosis for turf toe? Consider wearing cleats as the hard undersurface of the show will prevent any hyperextension of the big toe joint which is the main cause of Turf Toe injuries. The primary movements of the joint at the base of the big toe are flexion and extension. The most noticeable symptom of turf toe is pain around the big toe area, including the joint that goes up your foot toward your ankle. Although most of the causes are simple, some, Try these seven methods for removing plantar warts before visiting a doctor, and find out the difference between plantar warts and calluses. We recommend sticking to a steady pace with high cadence and staying in the saddle to minimize the pressure through the forefoot. The type of surgery youll need depends on what part of your plantar complex needs treatment. Turf toe is a sprain of the ligaments surrounding the big toe joint, an injury not just for football players! For . More serious turf toe may take a month or more to heal, but wont have any serious long-term damage if you take care of your toe during the healing process. The injured tissues may cause a lump or gap or a "crunchy" feeling at that location from the inflammation. It occurs when some of the bones in the front part of your foot move out of place. Various stretching and strengthening exercises and techniques are gradually added during physical therapy. Turf toe commonly occurs as an athlete tries to push off of the ground, causing a stretch or hyperextension injury to the structures on the bottom of the big toe. In general, turf will last for eight to ten years. They can be helpful to prevent problems, Is your big toe swollen? Minor turf toe injuries can be treated at home and wont keep you from physical activities for very long. Learn how psoriasis, lung problems, and diabetes can cause foot symptoms. Knowledge of the location, intensity, and aggravating or relieving conditions helps the physician and physical therapist to determine the cause of the pain and stage of injury. Turf toe is caused by bending the big toe too far back toward your foot. Turf toe is simply a sprain to the ligament at the base of the big toe or great toe. We avoid using tertiary references. For instance: Grade 1: May heal partially or even fully within one week. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Am. Learn about common causes of foot pain such as bunions, corns, athlete's foot, plantar warts and more. The medical practitioner will examine how the patient's MTP joint functions. For others, cortisone may provide temporary relief but the problems of the big toe will return and in most cases be much worse. It's often recommended that athletes wear a stiff-soled shoe during healing to prevent too much flexion in the joint. The rate of the injury depends on the severity of the injury. Turf toe, foot, and/or toe pain (metatarsalgia) may also be caused by plantar fasciitis,arthritis, contusions, blisters, bunions, neuromas, sesamoiditis, hammertoes, fractures, and gout. How Long does it take for Turf Toe to heal? In turf toe, the symptoms are from the hyperextension of your toe and surrounding joints and ligaments. Treatment can include taping, massage, insoles and rehabilitation exercises. Complete ruptures may require surgery which is followed by 6-8 weeks of Physical Therapy. MRI (or magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a radiology technique which uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images of body structures. To diagnose turf toe, your doctor will do an exam to find out the extent of the injury. Flexor hallicus longus are the muscles that plantar flex or curl the big toe; contraction of the extensor hallicus longus and brevis lift the toe and important muscles in normal foot function. . You may need an x-ray or MRI if your injury looks to be more severe. The causes of fatigue If turf toe is not allowed to heal completely, it can become a chronic injury that may limit an athlete's ability to compete fully. Turf toe is considered a soft tissue injury and the diagnosis is fairly straight-forward. This means the answer to how long does artificial turf last, can range from 10 to 20 years. The recovery time for turf toe is dependent on the severity of the injury. In a grade 3 injury, your plantar complex completely tears. Severe grade 3 turf toe can have a long-term impact. In the normal foot, the sesamoids are two pea-shaped bones located in the ball of the foot, beneath the big toe joint. In a lot of these cases, the individual has reduced activity levels in terms of frequency or intensity but often the toe needs complete rest for 2-3 weeks to allow it to heal. Lower levels of prostaglandins reduce pain, inflammation, and fever. The simplest definition of turf toe is that it is a sprain of the main joint of the big toe. For a speedy recovery, and to reduce risk of re-injury, dont jump back into activity too soon, keep up your RICE routine, and protect your turf toe by taping it. When this happens, the big toe area and the MTP joint, known as the plantar complex, can get injured. Depending on the severity of turf toe, it can take anywhere from several days to weeks to fully heal. A physician will typically diagnose turf toe based on an athlete's symptoms, sports history, and a physical examination of the injured toe joint. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. This injury is a metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint sprain. Areas that may be affected with turf toe include: You can get this type of injury doing any activity that involves putting a lot of weight on your big toe. Discover information about cold feet, itchy feet, burning feet and swollen feet. heart disease, and The goals of treatment include pain management, increasing muscle strength and range of motion, maintaining cardiovascular conditioning, and re-establishing neuromuscular control. Substitute for activities that aggravate the pain and soreness. Why Did President Theodore Roosevelt Became Known As A Trustbuster? Grade 2: Can take as much as 2 weeks to resolve. The 8 Best Products for Bunion Support of 2022, Foot Pain Causes, Treatment, and When to Seek Help, The Best Methods for Treating Your Bunion Pain, Bunion Surgery: Everything You Need to Know, Return to sport following stress fractures of the great toe sesamoids: a systematic review, Turf-toe: An analysis of metatarsophalangeal joint sprains in professional football players. Learn about shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis, including how it's done, how effective it is, and other treatments that may also help reduce. As long as you take care of your turf, it can last for years, even up to 20 years. How long does turf toe last? It can be helpful for the patient to tell the physician about how and when it occurred, how it affects him/her, when it bothers him/her, and what he or she may (or may not) have done to make the pain better or worse. When done right, turf toe taping restricts the big toes movements to provide pain relief, stabilization, and protection to the toe and foot. A combination of flexibility, strength, fitness, and dynamic stability may help to prevent injury to the big toe. Unfortunately, there is no magic cure for prevention of turf toe besides developing the components needed for safe participation in sport. Provided of course that it is of a reasonable degree of quality and is . Early intervention leads to the successful treatment of most turf toe injuries. Repeated striking of hard surfaces with the feet can cause turf toe. Ligaments can become strained or snap. All rights reserved. You may need to wear a cast to protect the toe until it fully heals. A common athletic injury from field sports. Williams, B. The patient may also be asked to stand, walk, or even run. A digital nerve block is a procedure to anesthetize the fingers or toes (digits) by injecting an anesthetic solution at the base of the digit. What Is Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis? Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Footwear often does not provide enough support for the person with a turf toe. Turf toe usually doesn't call for surgery unless a painful bone spur develops, in which case the bone spur may be removed by a medical professional. Turf toe. There are fitness programs that fit any age or lifestyle. Capsulitis is a painful condition affecting the ball of the foot and toes. Is sesamoiditis the same as turf toe? It is possible for athletes to recover from turf toe and return to the level of health and fitness they had before the injury. Pain management and treatment can be simple or complex, according to its cause. The immediate treatment of turf toe is to control the swelling and inflammation of the affected toe joint. Turf toe can happen during any sport or activity when your forefoot is on the ground with your heel up, and then you are pushed into a position of hyperextension of your toe. As many as 45 percent of NFL players experience turf toe. Last year, the Giants' Sterling Shepard jammed his toe in Week 2, and the turf toe lingered for the next three and a half excruciating months. Let your doctor know if this causes a lot of pain. These tests may involve holding or moving the toe against resistance. Form the bones of the digits: Digit 1 (great toe; hallux). When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Phone: 303-805-5156. . For cardiovascular exercise, we recommend the elliptical machine or swimming. It's important to treat ingrown toenails as soon as they occur to prevent infection. Turf toe is specifically a hyperextensionof the big toe. Your doctor may also recommend imaging tests to look more closely at the tissues and bones around the toe. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. (2020). Older players and those with more experience in professional football were more likely to have sustained a turf toe injury. In a 1993 survey of 80 National Football League players, 36 players reported that they had incurred a turf toe injury and 83% of those players reported that the injury had occurred on artificial turf. 1996-2021 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. You may need surgery to treat a grade 3 injury if it causes a bone break, a ligament tear, or severe joint damage. Minor turf toe injuries can be treated at home and won't keep you from physical activities for very long. Possesses two digits (a proximal and a distal). Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. Flexibility is determined by the amount the toe can be flexed actively and passively. Sesamoiditis vs. Gout: What Are the Differences? A sprain is a tear or overstretching of a ligament. Artificial turf does not provide as much give when force is placed on it . Get the latest information on treatments for foot pain. This page was . This causes an injury to the ligaments in the toe joint a sprain. Upon return to activity, various preventative measures such as wearing a brace, athletic strapping (such as with turf toe strips made from moleskin), or insertion of a full foot shoe orthotic or rigid shoe insoles (such as steel plate supports) are considered. The athlete must also rest the sore toe to allow the joint to heal. If you're using it as a putting . During this time, it's especially important to avoid putting pressure on the affected foot. In some cases, X-rays may be taken to rule out a toe fracture, arthritis or other trauma to the bones. As long as you take care of your turf, it can last for years, even up to 20 years. It typically takes two to three weeks for the pain to subside. For . As the forefoot inverts and the rearfoot supinates, the common interdigital nerve gets irritated within the third innerspace. Sutures are stitches for body tissue. Well explain the common symptoms and which ones mean a visit to your doctor. Ibuprofen is prescribed to treat diseases and conditions that cause mild to Grade 1: Slight pain, no tear of the ligaments in the joint. Turf Toe is a hyperextension injury of the big toe joint. Relax your toes and lower them back down. The injury often occurs on a grass or artificial turf playing field which is why the name "turf toe" was adopted. drug abuse.Treatment of fatigue is generally directed toward the condition or disease that is causing the fatigue. When applied correctly, lawn paint will last 2 to 3 months and may require . Turf-toe: An analysis of metatarsophalangeal joint sprains in professional football players. Symptoms of a broken bone include pain at the site of injury, swelling, and bruising around the area of injury. Severe turf toe injuries may need surgery. This all depends on the maintenance and condition you keep your turf in. Turf toe usually gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers. A therapist can evaluate these biomechanical changes and help make the appropriate corrections. However, by following the above tips, it is possible for . A typical range between which artificial turf can last is around 10 to 20 years. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Other associated symptoms can include an inability to bend the big toe down, a loose or dislocated toe joint, and inability to bear weight on the toe. There are two basic types of pain, nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain. Treatment options and recovery time for turf toe depend on its severity, but the overall outlook is good in most cases. In more severe cases, a splint or insoles are required and it can take up to 8 weeks to heal. As a result, it is not recommended to stretch the big toe joint in the acute stages of injury. The first thing you'll need to do is keep the turf in the shade. More studies are needed to develop optimal treatment guidelines. A plan for a gradual return to play begins once the pain is reduced and muscle strength and flexibility are restored. Turf toe can range from Grade 1, not as serious, to Grade 3, the most severe type, per Rushford.org. Learn about the different types of crooked toe, along with, Toe stretches not only feel good, they can help you deal with and try to avoid foot problems in the future. variety of body functions), which results in lower levels of prostaglandins in Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Pressing a cold compress against the toe for 20 minutes at a time can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Rehabilitation will likely include exercises to maintain and improve the range of motion (ROM) of the joint; weight-bearing exercises of the small muscles of the foot along with the calf, lower leg, and core muscles should be addressed; and cardiovascular conditioning often including stationary biking. Flexibility or range of motion of the toe joints may be indicators of injury. A "turf toe" is a sprain of the largest joint of your big toe. Well. Which Is More Stable Thiophene Or Pyridine? If the injury causes a bone break, your doctor will need to repair the bone. After removal, they can grow back, which is why it's important to treat the underlying cause of a bone spur. For . Lift your toes, trying to get them all to the same height. The amount of use that the grass gets plays a part, too. You may not be allowed to play sports or do any exercise for 2 or more weeks. The primary movers or muscles that move the joint of the MTP are the flexor hallicis brevis. Some experts recommend a stiff shoe with less flexibility in the forefoot to prevent overextending the toe joint. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. There are nine ligaments that span the joint, which is covered by a capsular ligamentous balloon-like structure that helps holds the synovial fluid that lubricates the joint. Treatment of a fracture depends on the type and location of the injury. (2018). Anatomy. 2005-2022 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. If soft tissue like a ligament or the joint capsule is damaged, your doctor may use sutures to repair the tissue. For a Grade 1 or mild Turf Toe can be resolved with rest, icing, anti-inflammatories, and wearing a splint. To tape turf toe: Provide an anchor for the foot by circling the base of the big toe with one piece of tape. See additional information. This causes the tip of your big toe to get pulled toward the smaller toes and forces the joint at the base of your big toe to stick out. Before you play sports or exercise with your feet, bend your toes up slowly to stretch the muscles, joints, and ligaments in the foot. Operative outcomes of grade 3 turf toe injuries in competitive football players. anxiety, Turf toe, foot, and/or toe pain (metatarsalgia) may also be caused by plantar fasciitis, arthritis, contusions, blisters, bunions, neuromas, sesamoiditis, hammertoes, fractures, and gout. Before beginning activities, diseases such as gout, diabetes, certain types of arthritis, and neuropathies should be treated. Hallux refers to the big toe, while rigidus indicates that the toe is rigid and cannot move. The nerves in the foot will be tested for injury. The body will create various changes in the natural movement after an injury. You can ride a bike with Turf Toe if there is no pain during or after the exercise. Turf toe is an injury to the underside of the big toe and joint at the base of the big toe. Greater flexibility of the foot and ankle lessen the chance of injury. Youll usually recover from a grade 1 injury in a few days to a week. Some causes of neuropathic pain include: Ultrasound (and ultrasonography) is imaging of the body used in the medical diagnosis and screening of diseases and conditions such as: Foot pain and heel pain can be signs of serious health problems. A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. EFORT Open Rev. Knowing the true cause of your pain is the fastest way to treat it. Turf toe usually has a traumatic sudden onset; most athletes suffering from this sports injury will recall exactly when and how the injury happened. Digits 2 to 5 (the lesser toes). Turf toe injuries are typically classified into grades 1 to 3 to describe the severity of the injury and to guide treatment: Grade 1: stretching of the plantar complex. VOL 21 Sept. 2008. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. It can take as long as six months for turf toe to heal completely. Overview. 2022 Caniry - All Rights Reserved This limited mobility in the joint can increase the likelihood of the big toe being injured again in the future.. The end of the leg on which a person normally stands and walks. Smith K, et al. This causes severe tenderness, swelling, bruising, and trouble moving your big toe. Learn more about turf toe, including symptoms & treatment, from our medical experts. In rare cases, turf toe can cause long-term stiffness, damage, or decreased ability to run or jump using the injured foot. If you think you may have turf toe, make an appointment to get your big toe joint checked out by our experienced podiatrists. MRI scanning is painless and does not involve X-ray radiation. 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The symptoms of gout are due to the uric acid crystals forming on your joints or around your soft tissue, making it hard to move joints and causing pain. In fact, most professional football players will have some degree of arthritis and limited flexibility in their toes by the time they retire. Intra and/or extracapsular swelling of the joint may be present. Turf toe. Experts argue that running, jumping, and cutting movements on the unusually hard artificial field makes jamming or overextending a toe even more likely than on grass fields. This can occur as a person pushes off an artificial surface, and the big toe remains flat on the ground. Foot pain may be caused by injuries (sprains, strains, bruises, and fractures), diseases (diabetes, Hansen disease, and gout), viruses, fungi, and bacteria (plantar warts and athlete's foot), or even ingrown toenails. (2017). For a Grade 1 or mild Turf Toe can be resolved with rest, icing, anti-inflammatories, and wearing a splint.. For Grade 2-3 Turf Toe injuries, it is recommended that you see a Physical Therapist for an assessment of your injury. Depending on the severity of turf toe, it can take anywhere from several days to weeks to fully heal. Injury can be prevented through proper preparation for sports participation. American Academy Of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Stiff big toe (hallux rigidus). Turf toe, foot, and/or toe pain (metatarsalgia) may also be caused by plantar fasciitis, arthritis, contusions, blisters, bunions, neuromas, sesamoiditis, hammertoes, fractures, and gout. Ace bandages, liquid bandages, bandage wraps, waterproof bandages, elastic bandages, and other types are available to cover and protect your wound from dirt and water. The mesh that backs the synthetic grass ensures that the turf is resilient and lasts long. In some cases, an athlete may even dislocate the big toe. Leg strengthening exercises such as deadlifts, squats, and leg press machines are ok once the foot is kept flat throughout the movement. Big toe sign: An important neurologic examination based upon what the big toe (and other toes) do when the sole of the foot is stimulated. diseases of the male reproductive organs. Heres, Stubbed toes happen to everyone. Doctors most often recommend surgery for larger Grade 3 injuries, such as: A severe tear of the plantar complex. Surgery is rarely recommended as a treatment for turf toe, but if an athlete develops a bone spur, surgery to remove the spur may be warranted., It can take a long time for turf toe to heal completely, and athletes should expect to take a break from field sports for at least three weeks while the joint capsule heals. How can you tell the difference between gout and turf toe? MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This injury is a metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint sprain. Turf toe can also affect soccer and basketball players, martial artists, and ballet dancers because they constantly use their feet on hard surfaces. Severe pain should be treated by a medical professional. If treated early, surgical intervention can be avoided. The basic guideline to prevent injuries is to determine if one is in good health by having a physical exam to evaluate cardiovascular function and the possibility of disease or any other general medical problems. Athletes who suffer from turf toe will often describe it as having their foot or their toe getting "stuck" on the ground at the same time they move forward. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. Using RICE treatment (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) along with anti-inflammatory medications is usually helpful. Our doctors define difficult medical language in easy-to-understand explanations of over 19,000 medical terms. See a picture of Foot Anatomy and learn more about the health topic. With that being done, used artificial turf can last 10-20 years as well. Treatment can include taping, massage, insoles and rehabilitation exercises. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ice will help to manage the discomfort and reduce swelling, while compression will aid in stopping bleeding under the skin surface and prevent fluid accumulation in the joint and surrounding areas. Why does my big toe point up when I walk? Read on to learn how to treat turf toe and what to do if the pain wont disappear. Depending on the severity, turf toe can take anywhere from 3 days to several weeks to heal. Steroid injection in big toe joint is a powerful way of reducing inflammation and pain in the joint. sleep problems, This injury affects the tissue and one or more of the joints that connect the toes to the rest of the foot. Turf toe was recognized as a common injury soon after the invention of AstroTurf in 1964. I've seen exercises to help rehab turf toe, but it it still hurts too much to exercise and stretch it even though it has been 2 weeks since injury. If treating the injury at home isnt helping, you may need physical therapy or surgery to walk, run, play sports, or continue using your foot for everyday activities. Artificial turf for lawns has a lot of benefits, and the amount of maintenance necessary is far below a normal yard. How long did it take for you to recover? The forefoot is made up of the long metatarsal bones which connect to the phalanges bones (toes). Turf toe usually gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. By clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet's Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet's subscriptions at any time. If it is not managed correctly, symptoms may continue and the joint may struggle to heal. The following treatments and exercises are instituted at the appropriate phases of recovery. a feeling like theres a small stone stuck under the foot. Diagnosis of turf toe injury starts with an interview to learn the mechanism . You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Shoes and socks appropriate to one's activity will also be a deterrent to injury, as proper fitting footwear can help minimize the effect of bad biomechanics. Here are 15 possible causes of burning in the feet, plus things you can do to relieve your pain. Here's what to know. However, if your symptoms persist or your level of athletic play is affected, surgery may be an option. Plus, learn home remedies and what, There are many different types of crooked toes and different causes for each condition. Turf toe is a condition due to sprains that occur to the big toe joint. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/01/2021. The more severe the injury, the longer the recovery time will be. Minor foot pain can usually be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation and OTC medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Last medically reviewed on February 14, 2022. Patients with heart pacemakers, metal implants, or metal chips or clips in or around the eyes cannot be scanned with MRI because of the effect of the magnet. Turf toe is diagnosed clinically from the health history and physical examination. Turf toe recovery time. See a medical illustrations of the foot and foot anatomy plus our entire medical gallery of human anatomy and physiology. The following risk factors may suggest the need for bone density scanning: advanced age, poor health, low body weight or thin stature, personal history of fracture as an adult, low physical activity, RA, and use of birth control pills. It is beneficial to stretch surrounding structures such as the calf muscle but be conscious to hold the big toe in a neutral position when carrying this out. Turf toe happens when soft tissues in the big toe joint stretch or tear. It can happen while playing a sport that causes the toe to be jammed into the ground or bent backward. A CT scan is a low-risk procedure. Severe turf toe injuries may need surgery. Read about symptoms, signs, causes, diagnosis, treatment, recovery time, and prevention. A broken toe may have similar symptoms to a severe turf toe injury. Immobilization will allow the affected tissues to begin to heal without stressing the joint. A more serious turf toe injury may take a month or more to heal but wont have any serious long-term damage if you take care of your toe during the healing process. As long as you take care of your turf, it can last for years, even up to 20 years. Although often associated with American football, turf toe occurs in a wide range . When should I seek medical treatment for turf toe? The two most common tests are an X-ray, which allows your doctor to see the bone structure around your toe to check for abnormalities, and an MRI scan, which can help your doctor see detailed images of the area around your toe. It is important to properly water and fertilize turf, and to cut it at the proper height. Turf toe results from an injury to the big toe when it is forced to extend beyond its normal limit. This can cause you to sprain or injure your toe and the ligaments surrounding it. There is no particular exercise or stretch that will prevent the injury. A 2020 study of 24 people diagnosed with various grades of turf toe from 1999 to 2016 found that more than 70 percent of them had significant improvement 4.5 years after treatment. Learn more and the symptoms and treatment of turf toe at WebMD. Minor turf toe injuries can be treated at home and won't keep you from physical activities for very long. J. Najefi A, Jeyaseelan L, Welck M. 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