What is Turf Toe?

Turf Toe is a sprain of the ligaments and irritation of the joint capsule in the big toe following forced and repeated extension movements.

This condition often occurs in athletes using soft sports shoes on a synthetic turf playing surface and accelerating while running.

The severity of the injury can range from a mild stretching to a complete rupture of the capsule and surrounding ligaments. In some cases, this condition can lead to damage to the muscles that flex the big toe. It may also be associated with a small bone tear at the muscle attachment site of these muscles.

Turf Toe can produce, but is not limited to, pain, joint stiffness, difficulty with impact activities such as running, and sometimes localized big toe edema.