Turf Toe Treatment

Treatment includes:

Self-care

• Rest-Do not try to run or play sports until you can walk without pain. Do not return to your sport until you can run, jump, and push off from your injured foot without pain.
• Ice-Apply ice or cold pack to your toe for 15 to 20 minutes, 4 times a day for 2 to 3 days or until the pain goes away. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel. Do not apply ice directly to your skin.
• Compression-Wrap an elastic compression bandage around your big toe. It is important not to cut off blood circulation to your toe or any body part when using such wraps, do not make them very tight. Put several wraps around the big toe and then include the rest of the forefoot within the bandage. This will limit swelling and support your toe.
• Elevation-Keep the injured foot raised above the level of your heart for 48 hours (such as up on a pillow). This will help drain fluid and reduce swelling.
• Stiff-soled shoes or rigid orthotics-Wear stiff-soled shoes or rigid orthotic inserts in your shoes to keep your toe from hyperextending.

Medication

The following drugs may help reduce inflammation and pain:

• Ibuprofen (eg, Motrin, Advil)
• Naproxen (eg, Aleve, Naprosyn)
• Acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol)
• Aspirin (eg, Bayer)

Surgery

Surgery is only needed to repair turf toe if:

• A small piece of bone has been broken off by the injury to the ligament
• A ligament is torn completely