What is “Turf Toe”?

[caption id="attachment_19097" align="aligncenter" width="187"]  [/caption]

In sports, you may hear a lot about a “Turf Toe” injury. This year particularly, there have been major names in the NFL, such as Joe Burrow and Brock Purdy, with turf toe injuries. How did “Turf toe” get its name and how is it treated?

Turf Toe is a sprain of the big toe joint, called the first metatarsophalangeal joint. It usually occurs from an injury that bends the big toe up past an angle that it normally should. It received the name “turf toe” after the injury became common with American football players, who played on artificial grass, or turf. In the early introductions of artificial turf, playing fields were merely artificial turf on concrete.

Athletes would typically push off their foot which bends the big toe joint. However, turf is less forgiving than real grass, which causes a forcible injury that makes the angle of the first metatarsophalangeal joint bend more than the joint is made for. Athletes are more at risk, but any one can suffer this injury.

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Symptoms include pain, bruising, swelling, and loss of range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. A medical provider will typically examine and order imaging in order to rule out any other pathology.

The first line of treatment is: rest, ice, compression and elevation. However, if symptoms continue, immobilization in a boot or cast may be required. Symptoms can take weeks to months to heal. If symptoms do not improve, surgery is an option.

Shoes and cleats have come a long way since turf was created. However, when returning to activity, it is recommended that athletes tape their big toe or wear custom orthotics to restrict that big toe from bending and re-aggravating this injury.