Football season is starting up again and nobody knows big toe pain like football players. Giants players have had their share, as have many New York high school and college players. Turf toe is a very common sports injurythat affects many athletes who play on artificial turf, such as in a football stadium. It can be a very serious condition, so make sure you get immediate treatment.
Turf toe is a condition that is caused when you push up on your feet and your toe stays stuck flat on the ground and doesn’t move with the rest of the foot. This causes the toe to become sprained. It is extremely common in people who play sports on artificial turf because it is much harder than grass and doesn’t provide as much give. There are different levels of damage with this condition. You can stretch, partially tear, or completely tear the soft tissue. It’s important that you find out exactly how serious your particular condition is so that you don’t do any further damage.
The most effective form of treatment is the RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method. It is very important to discontinue any activity that aggravates your pain. Do not try to push through your discomfort, because you could tear the tissue even more. With more severe cases (partially or completely torn tissue) you may have to immobilize your toes with a splint. In extremely severe cases you may end up needing surgery to correct damage done to any surrounding areas. Immediate and proper care should allow you to heal fairly quickly from this condition with no lasting damage.
For further information about turf toe symptoms and treatment for the pain in your big toe, call Dr. Mark Gasparini at (516) 804-9038 to schedule an appointmentat our office in Massapequa, NY.
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