Turf Toe?
Posted: 01:10 pm Jun 14 2005
Hey guys... about every 4-6 months I get turf toe. Anyone know what causes this? It just happens... without warning but it sure does hurt.
?Indawoods wrote:turf toe
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Re: Turf Toe?
Posted: 02:58 pm Jun 14 2005
Posted: 07:41 am Jun 15 2005
Anyone ever play football?
Posted: 08:09 am Jun 15 2005
I have only heard of it. Here is an excerpt from the http://www.webmd.com website, concerning Steve McNair:
WHAT IS TURF TOE?
Turf toe is the irritation of the joint at the base of the big toe, called the metatarsal-phalangeal joint. In McNair's case, bone spurs have worn and aggravated the nerves around the joint. The injury occurs when the big toe is forcefully jammed into the ground or bent backward. The result is pain and swelling at the base of the toe, where it meets the foot. It can hamper an athlete because it creates pain in the foot every time he plants or pushes off -- when he runs or moves laterally, for example. It can occur on any surface, but it occurs more often when an athlete plays on artificial turf, due to the hard nature of the surface and the superior grip an athlete can get between his shoe and the plastic turf. Also, players wear softer-soled shoes, such as tennis shoes, when playing on artificial turf; these shoes provide far less support and protection to the foot and especially to the forefoot.
DIAGNOSIS
The injury can be diagnosed by an X-ray, by flexibility tests, and by questioning the patient. The X-rays can show bone spurs, or irregularities in the joint. Examining the joint will also show inflammation and stiffness.
TREATMENT
The toe is most often treated without surgery. In this case, the toe would be iced and elevated, and the patient would be prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication. The most important treatment is rest. McNair has worn a protective boot during practices throughout the later part of the season. The boot helps to immobilize his foot to keep down pain and swelling. If the athlete develops bone spurs around the joint, like McNair has, surgery is eventually necessary. The bone spurs are removed, and the area is cleaned out. After the surgery, the foot is immobilized in a cast.
PREVENTION
Turf toe can be prevented by not playing on artificial turf or, more practically, by wearing stiff-soled shoes. This will limit the bending and jamming of the big toe. With stiffer soles, the toe will not bend back as easily. Cleated shoes tend to have stiffer soles that are usually made of plastic.
RECOVERY
The recovery period differs from patient to patient. If an athlete considers it only a nagging pain, he may play through it each week. Otherwise, he may miss a game or two, resting the toe and recovering. When players have surgery, recovery time is obviously increased.
LONG-TERM OUTLOOK
After the initial injury, there is an increased risk of an athlete reinjuring the toe. The toe may also become arthritic, and the athlete may have trouble with arthritis or stiff toes after his career. For the rest of his career, he will play with a special shoe, made to protect his forefoot; the shoe will decrease the odds of reinjuring the toe.
Medical information was provided by Michael J. Ciccotti, MD, director of sports medicine at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Ciccotti is also the team physician for the Philadelphia Phillies.
WHAT IS TURF TOE?
Turf toe is the irritation of the joint at the base of the big toe, called the metatarsal-phalangeal joint. In McNair's case, bone spurs have worn and aggravated the nerves around the joint. The injury occurs when the big toe is forcefully jammed into the ground or bent backward. The result is pain and swelling at the base of the toe, where it meets the foot. It can hamper an athlete because it creates pain in the foot every time he plants or pushes off -- when he runs or moves laterally, for example. It can occur on any surface, but it occurs more often when an athlete plays on artificial turf, due to the hard nature of the surface and the superior grip an athlete can get between his shoe and the plastic turf. Also, players wear softer-soled shoes, such as tennis shoes, when playing on artificial turf; these shoes provide far less support and protection to the foot and especially to the forefoot.
DIAGNOSIS
The injury can be diagnosed by an X-ray, by flexibility tests, and by questioning the patient. The X-rays can show bone spurs, or irregularities in the joint. Examining the joint will also show inflammation and stiffness.
TREATMENT
The toe is most often treated without surgery. In this case, the toe would be iced and elevated, and the patient would be prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication. The most important treatment is rest. McNair has worn a protective boot during practices throughout the later part of the season. The boot helps to immobilize his foot to keep down pain and swelling. If the athlete develops bone spurs around the joint, like McNair has, surgery is eventually necessary. The bone spurs are removed, and the area is cleaned out. After the surgery, the foot is immobilized in a cast.
PREVENTION
Turf toe can be prevented by not playing on artificial turf or, more practically, by wearing stiff-soled shoes. This will limit the bending and jamming of the big toe. With stiffer soles, the toe will not bend back as easily. Cleated shoes tend to have stiffer soles that are usually made of plastic.
RECOVERY
The recovery period differs from patient to patient. If an athlete considers it only a nagging pain, he may play through it each week. Otherwise, he may miss a game or two, resting the toe and recovering. When players have surgery, recovery time is obviously increased.
LONG-TERM OUTLOOK
After the initial injury, there is an increased risk of an athlete reinjuring the toe. The toe may also become arthritic, and the athlete may have trouble with arthritis or stiff toes after his career. For the rest of his career, he will play with a special shoe, made to protect his forefoot; the shoe will decrease the odds of reinjuring the toe.
Medical information was provided by Michael J. Ciccotti, MD, director of sports medicine at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Ciccotti is also the team physician for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Posted: 10:25 am Jun 15 2005
Now I remember when it started acting up again... When I crashed the KTM 250 EXC I had 3 years ago. I looped it really bad on a jump and tumbled many many times. When I finally stopped I sat up and recall my big toe on my left foot was numb and had been jammed. I've had trouble every since from it. I guess I should check to see if anything can be done to alleviate the pain other than tylenol... doesn't seem to help much.....
Posted: 11:32 am Jun 15 2005
Damn punkins !!! 