TURF TOE
HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?
Turf toe is a common injury that takes place in sports. As the name indicates the injury happens frequently when an athlete is on turf. Playing on artificial turf seems to increase the risk of suffering from turf toe. This is likely due to artificial turf either providing not enough traction or too much traction. One will be making an explosive movement such as starting a sprint, accelerating, or making a cut and when they are in the toe off stage their foot will either get caught or slip. This causes the big toe to hyperextend backwards. It can also occur in other incidents that force the big toe backwards such as a blunt force.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SUFFER FROM TURF TOE
When you hyperextend the big toe the metatarsal phalangeal joint may be sprained. Turf toe is a sprain of this metatarsal phalangeal ligament. It will often be acutely painful and may swell up. It can be evaluated in a rehabilitation specialist’s office. By explaining the history of the injury to the specialist at The Pittsburgh Chiropractor and through an in-depth examination the specialist should be able to diagnose turf toe without any imaging.
HOW IS IT TREATED?
Turf toe is often best treated with conservative rehabilitation. Conservative rehabilitation will include the POLICE or PRICE protocol. POLICE stands for protect, optimized loading, ice, compression, and elevation. PRICE is the slightly outdated similar protocol which called for rest instead of optimal loading. Essentially the toe will have the amount of loads that it can handle be incrementally increased. By load here I am referring to moving the toe. As the toe starts to heal it will be taken through rehabilitation protocols. Usually this will start with passive movement, followed by active movement, strengthening, and then restoring functional performance. When one suffers from turf toe in Fox Chapel & Pittsburgh it is often a good idea to either splint or tape the toe to help support the toe from hyperextending.
Many athletes experiencing lower extremity injuries may also suffer from other musculoskeletal conditions such as low back pain or overuse injuries related to sports participation. Organizations such as the National Institutes of Health emphasize progressive rehabilitation and load management as key components of ligament recovery.
About the Author
Medically reviewed by Dr. Alex Tauberg, DC, RN, CCSP®, PSP | Last reviewed: March 8, 2026
Reviewed for clinical accuracy using an evidence-based, conservative care framework.
Dr. Alex Tauberg, DC, RN, CCSP®, PSP
Primary Spine Practitioner & Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner
Founder of The Pittsburgh Chiropractor LLC, Dr. Tauberg is a dual-credentialed healthcare provider (Doctor of Chiropractic and Registered Nurse). He specializes in evidence-based spine care and sports medicine, leveraging his advanced training in spine care, rehabilitation, and sports medicine to help active individuals and athletes recover from musculoskeletal injuries and return to the activities they enjoy.
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Education & training
- Doctor of Chiropractic: National University of Health Sciences
- Primary Spine Practitioner Certification: University of Pittsburgh
- Nursing Education: Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC); Capella University
- Graduate Nursing: William Paterson University (FNP program)
- Undergraduate: Eckerd College (Psychology)
Certifications Primary Spine Practitioner (PSP)
Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (CCSP®)
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
Professional Affiliation Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association
Direct Clinical Line (412) 517-8124
Content Standards Evidence-based guidance, reviewed and updated regularly
Pittsburgh: 55 Alpha Drive West Suite 6, Pittsburgh, PA 15238 | Gibsonia: 5332 William Flynn Hwy, Gibsonia, PA 15044 Clinical Content Last Verified: March 8, 2026
Educational disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
If you have severe symptoms, progressive weakness, fever, unexplained weight loss, recent trauma, or loss of bowel or bladder control, seek urgent evaluation.