Injuries in sport is common which could be a considerable issue particularly in professional sports as it impacts the ability to compete. One particular reasonably common injury is what is called turf toe. This is an acute injury to the big toe joint in the feet. This injury is much more possible in football as well as field competitive sports associated with the manufactured playing surfaces. That is how it took its term of ‘turf toe’. The actual injury is one of a sprain or rip of the ligaments below the big toe or hallux joint having a pressure injury to the cartilage within the joint. This is certainly generally due to a hyperextension of big toe joint with the foot is in a somewhat dorsiflexed placement. This is usually a situation that players fall into a tackling circumstance in the foot ball sports activities. As this is an acute injury the the signs of turf toe are an immediate onset. The initial acute signs of turf toe consist of pain at the big toe or hallux joint together with swelling and bruising. There will be a reduced range of flexibility in the great toe or hallux and it will be painful to move. The discomfort will be a lot more intense whenever walking and various other weight-bearing exercises. The diagnosis of a turf toe is commonly based on a physical assessment with the attending doctor with an diagnosis of the signs and symptoms. Ordinarily, the way that the damage occurred is also most likely to help arrive at the verification. Imaging from X-rays or MRI scans are useful to rule out other potential causes and also to confirm the degree of the ligament damage in the injury.
Turf toe is normally given a grade depending on the severity of the injury and this can be used to direct therapy. A grade 1 injury is just a sprain of the plantar plate below the joint. A grade 2 is a partial split with the plantar plate and a grade 3 turf toe damage is a total tear with the plantar plate. The treatment of turf toe will depend on the magnitude of the tissue destruction according to this grading. All cases will need an initial rest along with ice and elevation in addition to anti-inflammatory drugs. Immobilization is essential and just how much is based on this grading. Should it be a minor grade 1 then a stiff soled footwear. A carbon fibre plate inset may be used to make the footwear even more firm. If the injury is more extreme, a cast or walking boot may be needed for approximately a month or even more to provide the immobilization. As soon as the symptoms start to improve, slow progressive movement and exercises could be started with the quantity and intensity steadily improved with time. Tape are usually necesary to restrict the movement of the big toe joint in the course of the early periods of the return to sport. Shoes having a more rigid sole or with a inflexible carbon fiber insert may be used. Occasionally a steroid shot is done. When the initial injury was a serious grade 3 or the injury isn't improving, then there are a number of surgical strategies which they can use.
