How to Know if You’ve Got Turf Toe (Like Joe Burrow)
If you follow the NFL, you've probably heard the news that has Cincinnati Bengals fans holding their breath: quarterback Joe Burrow is sidelined with a significant "turf toe" injury, potentially requiring surgery and keeping him out of play for months.
But this injury isn't just for the pros. Turf toe is a common and painful condition that affects athletes at all levels, and in this blog, The Center for Podiatric Care and Sports Medicine will explain the basics.
What Exactly is a "Turf Toe" Injury?
Despite its name, turf toe is more than just a stubbed toe.
Rather, it is a sprain of the main joint of the big toe (the metatarsophalangeal, or MTP, joint).
It happens when the toe is forcefully bent backward, hyperextending the joint and stretching or tearing the ligaments that support it.
This injury got its name because it became much more common when athletes started playing on hard, artificial turf surfaces.
The combination of less forgiving turf and more flexible athletic shoes created the perfect storm for this type of hyperextension injury.
Is It Turf Toe? A Symptoms Checklist
A turf toe injury can range from a mild sprain to a complete tear of the ligament complex. Check for warning signs like:
Sudden, Sharp Pain: You felt a "pop" or immediate pain in your big toe joint during an athletic movement.
Swelling & Bruising: The base of your big toe is swollen, bruised, or tender.
Limited Movement: You feel pain when bending your big toe up or down.
Instability: Your big toe joint feels loose or unstable when pushing off to walk or run.
Pain with Every Step: The act of pushing off your big toe to take a step is consistently painful.
If you are checking these boxes, it's crucial to stop playing and seek a professional diagnosis. "Playing through it" can turn a minor sprain into a chronic problem.
How is Turf Toe Diagnosed and Treated?
In many cases, an X-ray or MRI may be necessary to rule out a fracture and determine the extent of the ligament damage. From there, the treatment plan depends entirely on the severity (or "grade") of the sprain.
For Mild Sprains (Grade 1): The focus is on the RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), taping the toe to limit motion, and anti-inflammatory medication.
For Moderate Sprains (Grade 2): You will likely need to wear a walking boot to immobilize the joint and allow the ligaments to heal properly. Physical therapy is often a key part of recovery to restore strength and range of motion.
For Severe Sprains (Grade 3): As we're seeing in the news with high-level athletes, a complete tear of the ligaments often requires surgical intervention to repair the joint capsule and ensure a stable, powerful return to sport.
Your Partner in Recovery
First steps involve precise diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan that may include taping, custom orthotics to offload pressure from the joint, and a guided return-to-play protocol. Get in touch and put turf toe behind you for good!
At The Center for Podiatric Care and Sports Medicine, we offer busy New Yorkers prompt diagnosis and treatments specific to their individual needs. Podiatrists Dr. Jonathan M. Levy, Dr. Nadia F. Levy, Dr. Diane M. Castro, Dr. Josef Geldwert, and Dr. Katherine Lai are eager to help you at our convenient mid-town Manhattan or Upper East Side locations. Contact us today.
