TURF TOE

Common Symptoms

Turf Toe symptoms include redness, pain, swelling and reduced movement specifically at the big toe joint. Symptoms may present over time or immediately after a traumatic event involving the big toe.

How it occurs

As seen in the image, turf toe is a common term used to describe a sprain of the ligament’s surrounding the big toe joint. Factors contributing to turf toe include:

-          Trauma such as, sudden jamming within the big toe joint due to stop/start running or rapid changing of direction.

-          Dynamic sports that require the big toe to pushing off the ground repeatedly and forcefully.

-          Inappropriate flexible footwear

What we may assess to obtain a diagnosis
Diagnosis is always subject to symptomatic complaint in conjunction with clinical testing performed by your podiatrist. Test performed may include touching (palpation) of the painful area, joint range of motion and an assessment of your walking or running (gait).

At The Running Room and Posh Pod, we are equipped with a pressure plate treadmill (Zebris) allowing us to comprehensively assess plantar pressures within the feet. There are three grades of severity for this condition all of which, have slightly differing management strategies. Due to this it is likely your podiatrist may send you for ultrasound or MRI imaging to assess the severity.

Management and how long does it take?

Imaging findings will appropriately grade the turf toe which will indicate the best course of management with treatment time frames varying subject to the grade of severity.

Grade 1: exercise perform as tolerated and icing. Grade 2: up to 2 weeks walking in boot and use of crutches if required. Grade 3 protocol required 6-10 weeks long term immobilisation with the effect foot in a boot or cast, crutches may also be used. For grade 3 turf toe and in collaboration with your general practitioner an appropriate referral will be made to an ankle foot surgeon for further consideration.

In all three grades including post-operative interventions treatment can be provided by your podiatrist. Other adjunct management modalities include tape/padding techniques, footwear advice, custom orthotics, foot exercises and oral anti-inflammatory medication may be discussed with general practitioner consideration.

Author: Maddie Parker -

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