Sprain Protection: Tricks to Prevent Turf Toe

There’s an old saying: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It’s hard to prevent an accidental injury that happens suddenly. You can’t predict the situation that will cause the damage. That doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to avoid something like turf toe, however. Generally, turf toe prevention involves making it less likely that your toe will sprain when you are active.

You sprain your big toe when your digit gets hyperextended backwards suddenly. You could do this tripping, landing a step or jump incorrectly, or getting hurt playing sports. It’s particularly common when someone falls on top of your foot while your toe is bent. The best ways to prevent turf toe involve protecting your digit so it can’t easily be hyperextended, and strengthening it so the supporting tissues don’t sprain easily.

Protecting your big toe is the most important and effective way you can avoid this injury. Make sure you always wear appropriate athletic shoes when you play sports. The need to be fitted correctly and not too worn out. Styles with relatively stiff soles help prevent your toe from being able to hyperextend. Make sure they aren’t too tight, either, since this increases your odds for a toe sprain.

The stronger your feet are, the less susceptible they’ll be to strain and some injuries, too. Basic foot exercises like picking up pencils and marbles off the ground, or walking around on your toes, work the small muscles connected to your digits. The stronger they are, the more they can support your toes.

The other way you can help prevent turf toe is to limit how much you play sports on hard surfaces or artificial turf. Stick to cushioned surfaces or natural ground as much as you can. These are easier on your feet and are less likely to contribute to a toe sprain.

There’s no way to guarantee that you’ll never sprain your toe, but these simple tricks can go a long way in helping you avoid the problem. If you’re at all concerned about your toe health, or find your feet are painful when you’re active, let our specialists help you take care of the problem. Make an appointment with Gulf South Foot & Ankle, LLC to take care of, or get help preventing, foot injuries of all kinds. You can reach us online, or call our Metairie, LA, office directly at (504) 708-4810.