Injury in sport is common which could be a significant problem especially in professional sporting activities simply because it affects the opportunity to take part. One particular reasonably frequent injury is what is known as turf toe. This is an acute injury to the great toe joint in the foot. This injury is a bit more likely in football as well as field sports activities linked to the artificial playing surfaces. That is just how the injury got its name of ‘turf toe’. The particular injury is one of a sprain or tear in the ligaments underneath the big toe joint with a compression injuries to the cartilage in the joint. The injury is frequently due to a hyperextension of big toe joint with the foot is in a somewhat dorsiflexed placement. This is usually a situation that players finish up in a tackling situation from the foot ball competitive sports. As this is an acute injury the symptoms of turf toe are an immediate onset. The first acute signs of turf toe include things like pain at the great toe joint together with inflammation and slight bruising. You will have a limited range of motion of the big toe and it will hurt to bend. The discomfort will always be more intense while walking as well as various other weight-bearing activities. Detecting a turf toe is commonly based on a physical evaluation with the attending doctor with an assessment with the signs and symptoms. Normally, the way that the injury transpired can also be most likely to help make the diagnosis. Imaging from X-rays or MRI scans are useful to eliminate other possible causes along with to gauge the amount of the ligament damage from the injury.
Turf toe is generally given a grade dependant upon the severity of the injury which could be used to direct treatment. A grade 1 damage is just a strain of the plantar plate below the joint. A grade 2 is a incomplete split of the plantar plate and the grade 3 turf toe damage is a complete rupture of the plantar plate. Treating turf toe would be determined by the extent of the tissue destruction based upon that grading. Every case will need an initial rest with ice and elevation in addition to anti-inflammatory medication. Immobilization is important and exactly how much is dependent upon the grading. If it is a minor grade 1 then a rigid soled shoe. A carbon fibre plate inset are useful to make the footwear much more inflexible. If the injury is more extreme, a cast or walking shoe may be needed for up to 4 weeks or even more to provide the immobilization. Once the symptoms begin to improve, slow progressive motion and physical exercises may be started with the amount and intensity gradually improved over time. Strapping are usually necessary to restrict the motion of the joint in the course of the first stages of the come back to sports activity. Footwear with a more inflexible sole or having a inflexible carbon fiber insole can be used for a turf toe. At times a cortisone injection is done. In the event the initial damage would be a severe grade 3 or the injury isn't improving, then there can be a number of surgical strategies that can be used.