Turf toe is, in simple terms, a sprain of the big toe. Just as an ankle sprain is caused by tearing or damage to the ligaments that align and support your ankle, turf toe is caused by damage to the ligaments supporting the base of the toe. This could be caused by a single serious hyperextension of the toe, or from repeated smaller impacts.
The injury gets its name from its popular association with athletes playing sports on artificial turf, but in truth any sport or activity on any surface that involves lots of running, cutting, jumping, or push-offs (including soccer, basketball, gymnastics, dance, or wrestling) puts you at elevated risk.
With a turf toe injury, it’s important to immediately stop playing, avoid bearing weight on the affected toe, and make an appointment with Dr. Keith McSpadden at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute. We don’t want you causing extra damage to the ligaments, and we want to help you heal as quickly and fully as possible so you can get back in the game. Request an appointment online, or give us a call at 512-593-2949 today.
