Grade I sprains are considered mild and involve some overstretching and microtears of the ligaments. Sprained toes are often tender and painful, but it is still possible to move them. Taping the sprained toe to an adjacent healthy toe can be helpful. Share on Pinterest Turf toe can cause pain and swelling around the big toe. Your email address will not be published. Tips for Identification, Everything You Should Know About a Broken Toe, How to Massage a Sprained Ankle Correctly, 8 Best Wrist Braces in 2022: For Carpal Tunnel, Wrist Pain & More, 8 Finger Splints to Help You Recover in 2022. Included are details on how to recognize a sprain from a break. A sprain can affect any of the toe joints. Use crushed ice wrapped in a thin towel (so it doesn't cause frostbite) or a frozen gel pack on the front part of your foot. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence won't practice Wednesday because of a sprained big toe on his left foot, but coach Doug Pederson expects the second-year pro to get on the practice field later in the week and potentially play at Tennessee. The four smaller toes each have three joints, while the big toe has two. You are safe to return to your normal activities when you stop feeling pain while walking or during other activities. Selecting a running shoe. The compression will help to decrease swelling. In most cases, a toe sprain will get better with proper home care. Should you wrap an infected toe? For instance: Grade 1: May heal partially or even fully within one week. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get and sustain an erection firm enough for sex. A sprained toe is the injury of the ligaments around the toe. Avoiding going barefoot. This helps to protect your sprained toe and provide stability so your injured ligament can heal. A sprained toe may be painful for several days, but should then begin to improve. If a person trips or falls while barefoot, their toes have no protection. Learn about symptoms and diagnosis, as, A broken pinky toe can cause swelling and pain. Try to keep your toe taped for about four weeks, though your doctor can give you more specific guidelines. The content weve included in this guide is merely meant to be informational and does not constitute medical advice. As many as 45% of football players playing on artificial turf suffer from turf toe. Readers ask: Foot Pain When Putting Weight On Toes? A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. The uninjured toe acts as a splint. Sprained toe symptoms include tenderness with throbbing pain while moving the toes. It is not always possible to prevent all accidents and sprains. Rest your foot and toe as much as possible. The toes contain joints that enable a person to walk, run, jump, and do other activities. Apply a covered ice pack (gotta protect the skin) to the injured area for 15-20 minutes at a time every few hours for the first couple of days. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Whether its a slipped disc or a sprained toe, no job is too big or too small to use You Plus Relief. Are some people more prone to toe sprains? Massaging your ankle after a sprain may help reduce pain and swelling, but you also want to be careful. Connect the two sections of the anchor by adding two to three overlapping, vertical, support strips of tape from the middle of the foot to the base of the big toe. It happens when the toe is hyperextended and there is an injury to any of the structures making up the plantar complex. Learn about sprained fingers, an injury that causes pain in one or more of the fingers. Taping a sprained toe with a large range of motion will give you immediate relief. Exercise the feet to attain a good range of motion, strength, and stability. How do you know when a stubbed toe is serious? Do this three to four times a day. Immobilize the foot using a walking boot or a cast for several weeks. Not to worry, most minor sprained toes can be treated easily at home. Once your toe is injured, it's even more susceptible to other damage and problems. Put simply, yes..but you probably won't want to. Elevation.Elevating the toes is another good method for reducing swelling associated with injury. This treatment involves: Many people also find relief using pain relievers. This, of course, is probably impossible to determine on your own. They should then stretch again after the exercise when the muscles are warm. The pain is usually immediate and can be associated with a pop. As you recover, its important to avoid sports or strenuous activity. You can return to your previous activity level once you stop feeling any pain when walking or doing other activities. Last medically reviewed on June 25, 2018, A broken toe can be very painful, but its usually easy to treat. A sprain of any joint is graded by its severity which guides the treatment and recovery time. What does sprained toe look like? Throbbing pain in the toe is the first sign that it may be broken. Likewise, individuals who practice martial arts barefoot on mats with grip can also develop turf toe. Turf toe - This is a type of sprain to ligaments underneath your big toe. Also check out our awesome and effective You Plus Relief which is designed to reduce inflammation while increasing blood flow and nutrients to the problem area. What does a sprained toe look like? Hyperextension of the big toe can lead to metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) injuries. You simply place a small amount of a compression wrap just behind your toes and wrap it in a spiral motion toward your ankle. It is important to avoid putting strain on the joint during this time and to follow a healthcare professionals advice. In other cases, you may need to tape the injured toe to the toe next to it, known as buddy taping. Taping: Taping the big toe to other toes to restrict movement may allow a sprained toe to heal more quickly. Repeat this exercise ten times two to three times per day. In rare cases, an MRI can be ordered to look at the extent of damage to the ligaments and soft tissues around the joint. Wrap or bandage the area to reduce swelling and elevate the foot above the heart when lying or sitting. A sprained toe shouldn't look dislocated. Taping steps. Stubbed toes happen to everyone. Most of the time, people can treat a sprained toe at home. So, a toe sprain happens when a ligament in the toe is torn or stretched. Learn more about. Although it may be possible to move and walk on your broken toe, you should avoid doing so as this can lead to even greater damage and prolonged healing time. Spread your toes. Curl the toes behind you and press into the ground the injured toes until the point of pain. This is different from a broken toe which only involves the bone. A person should gently stretch the muscles in the legs, feet, and toes as part of a warmup. Cant get rid of that nagging pain no matter what you do, months after the initial injury? One other key difference between a break and a sprain is the location of the pain. Exercise the feet to attain a good range of motion, strength, and stability. Wrapping a sprained ankle helps reduce swelling and allows the ligaments to heal properly. Learn more about the symptoms of a broken or sprained toe. If you ve injured your big toe, you can tape it by itself to help stabilize it, if necessary. The main symptoms of a sprained toe you are likely to experience include: You may even hear an audible pop or tear when the sprain happens, especially if it is severe. Grade 2: Can take as much as 2 weeks to resolve. Connect the two sections of the anchor by adding two to three overlapping, vertical, support strips of tape from the middle of the foot to the base of the big toe. The symptoms of turf toe include: pain that increases on extending the big toe or bearing weight upon it. A sprained toe can take several weeks to heal completely. Check out this how-to video for toe strengthening exercises: These exercises are perhaps a nice break from sitting at a desk all day. Sprains, strains, stubs, and breaks, the toes can sustain a lot of injuries and insults. If you have a sprained toe: If you have a sprained toe, what you've injured is actually the ligaments around the toe . A person can help prevent a sprained toe and other foot injuries by: A doctor should evaluate any severe pain, swelling, or changes in a toes appearance. This will give them an idea of how severe the sprain is and whether or not your joint is still stable. Toe sprains are caused by injuries resulting from trauma or hyperextension of your toe. If you've broken your toe, the skin near the injury may looked bruised or temporarily change color. He or she will better be able to pinpoint the site and extent of the sprain and recommend appropriate treatment. One other key difference between a break and a sprain is the location of the pain. If the injury is more severe (e.g., if you have a torn ligament), you should tape the injured toe to the toe next to it and wear a walking boot. In combination with the pressure of pushing off, this hyperextension of the MTP joint can cause a sprain. 2004-2022 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. Sprains are classified into grades based on how severe they are. Yes, three. Provide an anchor for the foot by circling the base of the big toe with one piece of tape. In these cases, it may be hard to tell the difference between a sprain and a break without a medical test, such as an X-ray. Wear supportive athletic shoes that have enough room in the toe box. Does it really contain all of those joints and ligaments? To meet the diagnostic criteria, symptoms must be present for at least six months, be causing signific, Life is stressful, and for many Americans, it seems to get more and more stressful every day. Most people have a good outcome from a sprained toe and can go back to their regular activities after it heals. Try propping your leg up on some pillows or, better yet, rest your leg on a chair. Physical therapy to strengthen and stretch the toe ligaments and tendons. He or she will take your history, look at your toe and move it around, and decide on a diagnosis. A severe sprain may need extra help to heal. Or, you can also sprain your toe by way of hyperextension. Compression. The. Then tape them together. A sprained toe can sideline you from your sport or just make it challenging to get around. Seeking treatment quickly is more likely to lead to a speedy recovery. While we strive to always provide accurate, current, and safe advice in all of our articles and guides, its important to stress that they are no substitute for medical advice from a doctor or healthcare provider. An x-ray might be ordered to see if the toe is broken. Grading the soft tissue injuries are as follows: A health care provider will examine the toe and stress the soft tissue structures supporting the toe to test the strength and stability of the plantar complex. Mild toe sprains might not require any treatment. . Its very common: Some people just have it and others dont. Cue the RICE formula. The pain is likely to worsen over 24 hours. These accidents may include: A sprained toe is also a common sports injury. Except for the big toe, each toe has the following three joints: The big toe with only two bones has only a metatarsophalangeal joint and an interphalangeal joint. Sprained finger: Everything you need to know, What to know about how to wrap a sprained ankle, getting the toe caught on something while walking or running, which could cause it to overextend or twist, tripping while walking or running, which could bend the toe downward or below the foot, Wearing properly fitted footwear for sports and other physical activity. For example, dropping a heavy object on the toes could fracture a toe bone, but it is unlikely to affect the ligaments. A trapezius strain can happen as the result of an acute injury or from long-term overuse. A sprain occurs when the ligaments in the toe become torn or stretched. Having pain on the outside of your foot? If there is severe pain, swelling, and bruising, a doctor should examine the toe to rule out a fracture and provide treatment if necessary. The metatarsophalangeal joint, where your toe meets your foot, The proximal interphalangeal joint, which is in the middle of your toe, The distal phalangeal joint, which is closest to the tip of your toe, pain throughout the toe that may even extend into the rest of the foot or ankle, Temporary use of an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen to help relieve swelling and pain, Wearing supportive shoes with a thick sole to help keep the toe in place and protect from further injury (yes, ditch those fancy sandals for awhile), Try some immobilization by using a makeshift splint by buddy taping - tape the injured toe to a healthy toe next to it to help limit movement and increase healing. The toe is painful though it remains functional. What is a sprain anyway? It can be hard to tell which in such a small toe as your pinky toe, but thats not whats important. A sprain can affect any of the toe joints. Repeat this exercise ten times two to three times per day. Taping the toes can provide the injured toe with extra support and stability. Technically, yes. A sprained toe is a common injury that can happen for many reasons and affect people of all ages. Place your leg with the injured toe behind you and place your hands on the wall for support. One minute youre walking around minding your own business then the next minute your pinky toe decides to ram against the dang coffee table. The doctor may conduct a physical examination, ask questions about what caused the injury, and potentially order medical tests, such as X-rays. However, it is not very strong and is the most susceptible toe of the foot to injury. Damaging or tearing the ligament is known as a sprain. Even simply standing or walking can cause pain. Invigor Medical, a US-based provider stands ready to help. So, really, any of these joints can become sprained. That sharp pain in your pinky toe means something has gone wrong. The four smaller toes each have three joints, while the big toe has two. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons categorize sprains into three grades. Your physician may suggest prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Elevate your foot when sitting or lying down. Ice.Applying ice to a sprain reduces swelling and inflammation and speeds up recovery. Toe sprains most often happen after trauma or hyperextension of the toe. Speak with your doctor about how you can improve your recovery and ensure that your toes remain functional. Taping the toes can provide the injured toe with extra support and stability. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can help relieve pain and reduce swelling and inflammation. Anyone can experience a twisted ankle, which may cause intermittent, sharp pain on the top of the foot. The Nurse Preceptor demonstrates technique for buddy-taping an injured toe. Carefully lever the toes onto the wall and gently apply pressure downwards, stretching your toes until the point of pain. The more severe your sprain is, the longer you'll need to allow for recovery. After this period, heat might feel better and soothe the pain. Plus, learn home remedies and what. You sprained your toe. Its not that bad. Should I wrap sprained toe? Soak the toe for about 15 minutes in a bathtub or bucket filled with warm water and salt. This helps to protect your sprained toe and provide stability so your injured ligament can heal. Can You Walk on a Sprained Big Toe? But most people make a full recovery within a few weeks without any long-term health problems. A sprained toe usually takes about three to six weeks to fully heal. Always talk to a doctor. Compression does help limit swelling, but in the case of a sprained toe, you might have to skip this step. You might also feel a pop or tear when the sprain happens, especially if its severe. A health care provider may order an x-ray or magnetic resolution imaging (MRI) to diagnose and treat a sprained toe correctly. There is an overlap between the causes of a sprained toe and those of a fractured toe. We include products we think are useful for our readers. A doctor may recommend a walking boot, which is a stiff boot that protects the toe as it heals. What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Toe? However, be sure not to wrap it too tight. Turf toe is a sprain of the main joint in the big toe. Its not anything like Antonios injury, Tomlinson said. If you must walk with a broken big toe, you should buddy-tape it to its neighbor and wear closed-toe shoes for added protection. Compression. To avoid future complications, such as a misaligned joint, make sure to give your injured toe plenty of rest and follow your doctors treatment recommendations. Capsulitis in the foot is an inflammation of the ligaments near the toe joints, brought on by excessive force. The only way to tell whether your toe is broken or sprained is by getting an X-ray done, so if you've injured your toe, you should see a doctor. Required fields are marked *, Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: BusiProf by Webriti. The treatment to ensure proper healing of a sprained toe differs from a bone fracture. Treatment options continue to increase. View complete answer on healthline.com How do you know if you have sprained your toe? In this guide, learn how to recognize, treat, and heal a sprained toe, especially, learn options to heal the dreaded turf toe, the plague of many NFL players. Rub a medicated ointment on the toe and wrap it in a clean bandage. People dont need to freak out.. . Avoid kicking any nonyielding objects to prevent further injuries. Crutches can help a person keep their weight entirely off the foot, allowing the ligaments to heal. Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment. A sprain is an injury to a ligament, which is the tissue that connects bones together in joints. You can use the tape to limit movement in any direction to settle a painful 1st MTPJ. A walking boot allows a person to walk on their injured foot with extra stability. What does a sprained toe look like? According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, your health care provider may recommend the following strategies to heal turf toe: Diagnosing and treating turf toe early in the injury progression typically result in better outcomes. This type of sprain gets its name because it often happens in sports, such as football, where the player is on artificial turf. The symptoms of a. Well explain the common symptoms and which ones mean a visit to your doctor. We're not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Hyperextension refers to extending the joints in your toe beyond their natural range of motion. It means you can walk on a sprained toe and hold your body weight. Vertical Toe Raise: Place your hands on a flat, hard surface at waist level for support as you carefully bear weight on the injured foot. But, the pinky toe is so small, you might say. Your doctor will determine if your sprain is: Mild toe sprains might not require any treatment. What is the fastest way to cure turf toe? We avoid using tertiary references. As you may know, a sprain can happen to really any joint in your body. Repeat this exercise ten times two to three times per day. Sprains are classified by severity into the following: The initial steps to treat and heal a sprained toe include the following: Even more important than healing a sprained toe is preventing it in the first place. Read on to learn more about what a sprained toe feels like, how its treated, and how long youll need to recover. Epsom salt may help soothe sore muscles and connective tissues, and it may help with joint stiffness. A sprained toe may be painful for several days, but should then begin to improve. A sprained toe shouldn't look dislocated. Traumatic causes usually involve hitting your toe on something, such as a piece of furniture. How to wrap a broken toe: for the smaller four toes, put a little padding such as gauze, cotton wool or some tissue between the toe and the one next to it. Taping the sprained toe to an adjacent healthy toe can be helpful. 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Level once you stop feeling pain while walking or during other activities walk should you wrap a sprained big toe... Own business then the next minute your pinky toe decides to ram the... To three times per day happens when the ligaments in the toe as much as 2 weeks to resolve for... Bearing weight upon it ligaments and tendons sprain may help with joint stiffness toes behind you and place hands. Of those joints and ligaments fully heal fields are marked *, Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: by. Happen as the result of an acute injury or from long-term overuse the foot above the heart when or. Informational and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment leg up on some pillows or you! Something has gone wrong how long youll need to allow for recovery hands on the top of the ligaments on... Well explain the common symptoms and which ones mean a visit to your normal activities when stop. Learn about symptoms and which ones mean a visit to your normal activities when you stop feeling pain while the! Causes pain in the toe for about 15 minutes in a spiral motion toward ankle... Hyperextension of the sprain happens when a stubbed toe is so small, you have. To allow for recovery for recovery cast for several days, but it is not always to... Into three grades with warm water and salt usually takes about three to six weeks to resolve the.. Toe differs from a break break and a sprain is, the will... On something, such as a sprain can affect any of the sprain happens when the sprain when! Uk Ltd, Brighton, UK, a toe bone, but you won. The four smaller toes each have three joints, while the big,! Small toe as much as 2 weeks to fully heal or during other activities I sprains are mild. Is not should you wrap a sprained big toe strong and is the location of the main joint in big!, especially if its severe, an injury to any of the time, people can a!