What causes turf toe?

In addition to trauma, turf toe commonly develops as a result of poor foot mechanics caused by footwear use.

Over time, poor foot mechanics become the maladapted functional norm, which predisposes the great toe joint to injury and damaging stresses. Injury typically occurs as a result of the excessive forces on the great toe joint that are created during running sports, particularly on artificial turf.

Turf toe can also be caused by a direct injury that leads to damage of the bone beneath the cartilage.

Even mild, repeated episodes of this trauma can cause severe pain and the inability to walk or run, which is a devastating outcome for a running athlete.

Optimally, the great toe and arch should rise, pre-ground contact, in anticipation of the activity-related forces that are expected during weight bearing and propulsion. This pre-ground contact muscle activation promotes arch system stability and the ideal positioning of the great toe for optimal propulsion during toe-off. This generates little or no stress on the big toe joint.

If this muscle firing sequence does not occur or if the big toe is prevented from rising due to tight restrictive footwear, propulsion load-bearing forces exert extreme stresses on the big toe joint. It is these stresses that cause turf toe.

Modern science has identified that the nervous system plays a critical role in stabilizing the feet and ankles when walking or running. It is now understood that poor foot function is a symptom of inefficient neuromuscular function caused by conventional footwear use. In fact, conventional footwear use causes poor neuromuscular function throughout the feet, legs, hips, and back, when:

• the soles of the feet don’t receive the subtle, varied stimulus that the nervous system requires for healthy function,

• snug toe boxes, stiff midsoles/outsoles/uppers and tight lacing restrict healthy foot movement, and

• footwear midsoles / outsoles feature a concave supporting surface under the metatarsal heads.

To learn more about how footwear affects function and performance, click HERE.

The best way to prevent and treat turf toe is to retrain optimal foot mechanics and to use footwear that is soft, flexible, and roomier in the forefoot.

Conventional treatment methods for the arthritic foot

Since the late 1890s, the standard treatment for turf toe related poor foot mechanics has been to artificially support the arches with an orthotic. Other conventional treatment options include:

• Immobilization via taping

• Cushioning insoles

• Ice

Modern science has transitioned away from using long-term support and cushioning on any body part because it causes a progressive weakening of the body part being supported or cushioned.

The modern approach to treating turf toe

Science underscores the body's inherent ability to restore and improve its own function when presented with the appropriate challenges. This principle lies at the heart of contemporary therapeutic methods used to correct and enhance neuromuscular function, particularly in foot health.

Therapeutic rehabilitation, focusing on the body's natural mechanics and responses, emerges as the safest and most effective strategy for addressing the underlying causes of conditions like turf toe, shifting the focus from temporary relief to long-term health and functionality.

Understanding the Fundamentals:

• Proper Technique: This refers to rehabilitative exercises that concentrate on re-establishing optimal neuromuscular function. It's about reinforcing healthy mobility, muscle strength, stability, and alignment in a safe manner.

• Right Stimulus and Right Movement: Effective movement is predicated on the quality of sensory information the brain receives, particularly from the soles of the feet. The feet's nerve endings are crucial in transmitting this data, ensuring coordinated movement throughout the musculoskeletal system. When sensory input is compromised—as is often the case with conventional footwear—the body's natural reflexes and movements can be inhibited.

Adopting the Modern Approach:

1. Barefoot Walking: Engage in barefoot walking, particularly on natural surfaces, as frequently as feasible. This practice delivers the optimal stimulus for healthy neuromuscular function, promoting the right kind of movement.

2. Utilization of Biopods®: Incorporate Biopods footwear or insoles into your routine. Our footwear is designed to create an ideal environment for proper foot technique, while our insoles are crafted to enhance the sensory feedback in your conventional shoes. For optimal results, use in footwear that is soft, flexible, and allows for natural movement of the arches and toes.

3. Consultation with Healthcare Professionals: Prior injuries might have led to the formation of fibrotic scar tissue. It's advisable to consult with a healthcare practitioner about therapies that can address these issues to facilitate better foot function.

Conclusion:

The modern approach to foot health is integrative and proactive, focusing on encouraging the body's natural ability to heal and maintain itself. It's an investment in your long-term health and wellbeing, steering away from temporary fixes and instead, fostering lasting, comprehensive foot health.

Consult with your healthcare practitioner to ask about employing soft tissue mobilization therapies to address the fibrotic scar tissue that may have formed prior to using Biopods.

For more information on what to expect when using Biopods, click HERE.