Turf toe

Turf toe is an injury in the big toe joint when ligaments, tendons and soft tissues in the joint stretch or tear. It’s a common injury among football players and athletes who sprint or jump. Turf toe usually gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers. Severe turf toe injuries may need surgery.

What is turf toe? 

  Turf toe is an injury that affects the big toe joint. It happens when you bend your big toe too far or too forcefully. This motion causes soft tissues and ligaments in the big toe joint to stretch or tear (sprain). Ligaments are tissues that connect your bones. 

  Turf toe is common among American football players because they frequently push off their toes into a sprint or make sudden movements while running. Most of the time, the injury gets better with treatments like rest, ice and medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Some turf toe injuries that don’t heal with these treatments may need surgical repair.

How common is turf toe?

Turf toe is commonly associated with athletes competing on a turf surface, but it can happen to anyone. The injury can occur in various sports and activities, flexible or rigid shoe wear, and turf or flat surfaces. Turf toe injuries increased in the 1970s when football players began playing on artificial turf instead of grass. Artificial turf is a harder surface than natural grass. There seems to be an increase in the occurrence of turf toe injuries, possibly because of the use of more flexible, lighter shoes. This also may be related to changes in the interaction of the surface with the shoe wear.

What are the symptoms of turf toe?

Turf toe symptoms range from mild to severe. If a sudden injury caused turf toe, you may have heard or felt a “pop” when the injury happened. Pain from a sudden injury usually comes on right away.

Turf toe symptoms from repetitive injuries usually appear gradually and get worse over time. Symptoms of turf toe include:

Pain and tenderness: Pain may be constant, or it may only hurt when you press on the area. Big toe pain may be so severe that you can’t put weight on it.
Swelling and bruising: The base of the big toe may be inflamed. Bruising can extend around the swollen toe and up to the top of the foot.
Limited range of motion: You may not be able to move your toe or bend it up and down. You may feel like your foot is weak or you’re unable to push off the ground like before.

Joint that feels loose:The metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint may pop out of place or feel like it’s unstable. The joint may also feel stiff.

What causes turf toe?

A turf toe injury happens when the big toe is bent at a 90-degree angle and pressed flat against the ground. Usually, the heel is high off the ground, like a sprinter’s starting position. If you put too much force on the big toe, you can hyperextend it (bend it farther than it’s supposed to go). Bending the toe beyond its natural range of motion can cause ligaments, tendons and soft tissues in the joint to stretch or tear.Turf toe can result from many repetitive movements over time (like a ballet dancer’s jumps). The injury can also result from sudden trauma, such as when a football player tackles an opponent whose toe is planted on the ground. Athletes who make sudden foot movements and changes in direction are more likely to get this type of injury.

What part of the toe does this injury affect?

The big toe has two joints. The larger joint is the MTP joint. This joint connects the base of the big toe to the rest of the foot.

Tendons, ligaments and connective tissue hold the bones and muscles of the big toe together. These structures provide stability and allow the big toe to move without dislocating. The injury can range from simple sprains to dislocations of the MTP joint.

What are the types of turf toe injuries?

Healthcare providers use a grading system to classify turf toe injuries. The grade helps determine the most effective treatment plan. The types of turf toe injuries are:

Grade 1: Typically soft tissue is stretched, but not torn. The area is sensitive when you touch it. It may be mildly swollen. You may have mild limitations with sports and exercises abilities.
Grade 2: The soft tissue complex partially tears. The area has intense and more diffuse tenderness and is often swollen and bruised. You’ll be more limited with sports and exercises.
Grade 3: Soft tissues more completely torn. The MTP joint may be dislocated. Swelling and pain in the toe are severe. It’s very difficult to move the toe, let alone exercise or play sports.

More information:https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uhbIHp5Tk2o

#Turf toe #Arteries Of The Hand#Deep Palmar Arch #Superficial Palmar Arch#Common Digital Arteries #Digital Arteries to the Thumb#Proper Digital Arteries to the Fingers #orthopedicdoctor #conference #medicine #medical #pencis#ortho