Ace Physiotherapy and Sports in Singapore
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+65 81535374 -
ACE PHYSIO SPORTS
East gate Building, 46 East Coast Road
#08-03 Singapore 428766 -
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Opening Hours
Sat: 08:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday (By prior appointment)
Turf Toe
What is turf toe?
Turf toe is an injury involving damage to the ligaments of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint of the big toe.
The ligaments that run along the bottom of the big toe and allow it to bend downward travel across the metatarsophalangeal joint. Damage to these ligaments is known as turf toe.
How does turf toe happen?
Turf toe most commonly occurs during sports. When footwear grips the surface and the body weight moves forward over the foot, the shoe can get stuck, causing the metatarsophalangeal joint to be forced upward. In sporting situations, this often happens suddenly, overstretching the ligaments beneath the joint and resulting in a turf toe injury.
Turf toe is more common on artificial surfaces, as these are designed for footwear with a higher level of grip. The injury is also seen more frequently with modern lightweight, flexible footwear that offers less stability to the foot, increasing the likelihood of the big toe bending upward and causing ligament damage.
What are the symptoms of turf toe?
Turf toe is a sudden injury, so the pain usually begins immediately at the moment of injury. Some people may also feel a “pop” in the big toe at the time it occurs. Afterwards, symptoms may include:
- Swelling around the big toe joint
- Bruising or discoloration under or around the toe
- Pain when bending the big toe or pushing off the foot
- Tenderness when pressing on the bottom of the toe joint
- Difficulty running, jumping or walking normally
- Loss of strength or stiffness in the toe
What should I do if I have turf toe?
If you have, or suspect you have, turf toe, you should consult a physiotherapist who can help reduce healing time and restore normal function in the big toe. In the meantime, you can apply ice using a bag of frozen peas or crushed ice wrapped in a damp cloth for 15–20 minutes over the toe every 1–2 hours to reduce pain and swelling.
What shouldn’t I do if I have turf toe?
If you have, or suspect you have, turf toe, you should stop all sporting activities. Continuing to play will put additional stress through the damaged ligaments and may make the injury worse. The ligaments need rest in order to heal properly.
Physiotherapy treatment for turf toe.
Physiotherapy can be very effective in the treatment of turf toe. Treatment initially focuses on reducing pain and swelling before progressing to rehabilitating the toe and restoring normal function. Treatment may include:
- Ice therapy to reduce pain and swelling in the early stages
- Taping or bracing of the big toe to restrict motion and protect the ligament
- Rest and activity modification to prevent further strain on the joint
- Manual therapy and joint mobilisation to improve movement as pain decreases
- Stretching and strengthening exercises for the toe, foot, and ankle muscles
- Gait analysis and retraining to correct any compensatory walking pattern
- Advice on appropriate footwear or orthotics to provide better support and stability
- Progressive return-to-sport plan to safely resume physical activity
Could there be any long-term effects from turf toe?
With appropriate physiotherapy and by following the recommended advice, a full recovery from turf toe is very likely, allowing you to return to sport safely. Using proper footwear and continuing to follow physiotherapy guidance will also help reduce the chances of the injury recurring.
To arrange an appointment, please call +65 81535374 or visit acephysiosports.com.
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