Turf Toe

With the fall sports season underway, now is a good time to pay attention to the dangers of turf toe. We help people with a lot of foot problems at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, and sprains to the big toe usually respond well to treatment. But people need to know to take turf toe seriously or else their recovery may be delayed and compromised.


“Turf toe” gets its name from the astroturf fields where big toe sprains commonly occur. The metatarsophalangeal joint that connects the big toe to the foot links to a complex network of ligaments and sesamoid bones that prevent the toe from moving too far sideways and allow it to curl and lift. When the toe is hyperextended, as can happen when the toes are supporting the weight of the whole body, the ligaments may tear or fray. Hyperextension is likelier to happen on surfaces that have less give.


Whenever a person suspects they have a sprain, they should rest, ice, compress, and elevate (RICE) the foot. We’ll conduct a thorough movement and imaging test to determine the exact nature of the injury and provide the patient with anti-inflammatory medication. Bracing and orthotics will stabilize the foot while it heals and protect it from further pain. Surgery is necessary in the worst cases of turf toe, but most people only need to do physical therapy.


Dr. Frank Killian and Dr. Sameep Chandrani run Mercer-Ocean Podiatry. For the location at 2103 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, Hamilton Township, New Jersey, 08619, call 609-585-3200. For the location at 202 Rte 37 W, Suite 4, Toms River, New Jersey, 08755, call 732-557-4266. Visit New Jersey Foot.


 

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