Turf Toe- and How to Heal?

[Jst21121]

I can't believe it.

I had tennis elbow last year... had some weird knee thing this year...and two weeks ago- I stepped "wrong" during a match, felt a pop...and have been dealing with a dull ache under my big toe.

I went to the doctor and they said I have turf toe. They said it was a minor issue, but it needed time to heal. Time as in- stop playing tennis, stop running, and stop biking.

I have given it about 2 weeks of no foot exercises and no tennis but I don't really see a big change. It's still annoying and achy. When I step just right- sometimes Ill get pop that is like a zap/electricity feeling. Ill load my foot- then lift and then zing pain.

Granted it happens rarely, and I have a full range of motion, and I can walk just fine. I just can't play tennis or run or bike until it "heals."

What on earth do I do for turf toe aside from rest. For those people that have had it- is this like a month long recover? 3 months? Google says it can be anywhere from 1 week to 6 months. What has your experience been? I'm taking a 1-2 months off tennis...which really sucks as I'm going to lose all my cardio. I will lift weights and do core exercises but I'm really sad right now.

Any tips and tricks? Any personal experiences?

 

[Fintft]

Well, cardio you can help with either training: exercise bike(or swimming), jumping etc. (try to measure your heart recovery rate to keep an eye on it). But besides your timing, I found out that I'm more prone to various injuries after extended layoffs...
Good luck!

 

[Jst21121]

Update. Had to go full boot and taping. No workout for 1 month according to sports doc. It feels healed after 2 weeks… but sports doc says it’s very easy to reinjure. Wait 1 month in boot…

 

[sovertennis]

I've had turf toe twice in the same toe. It does indeed take a long time to heal, and even if it feels as though it has healed (ie after two weeks) it probably has not. Take your time my friend, because the recurrence (for me anyway) was worse than the initial injury.

 

[Jst21121]

I've had turf toe twice in the same toe. It does indeed take a long time to heal, and even if it feels as though it has healed (ie after two weeks) it probably has not. Take your time my friend, because the recurrence (for me anyway) was worse than the initial injury.

When did you feel confident to play competitive tennis?

My biggest fear is now is playing at the baseline and having to sprint to get a drop shot and having that “tearing” feeling in my toe.

I’m doing light exercises rowing biking… can lift weights at least.

But haven’t played tennis for a good 3-4 weeks.

My timeline back is June 1st.

 

[sovertennis]

The healing was gradual. I just did a lot of hitting and moving side to side, never any sprints forward and always played on clay. Eventually, the dull ache went away. I also do a lot of cycling, which takes the pressure off the affected area.

 

[Jst21121]

Update into May 18. It’s been about 1 month 2 weeks since initial symptoms.

Day to day activities is fine but any biking or tennis aggravates it. Pain afterwards that hurts.

Getting an mri and X-ray done next week to rule out anything else and to see progress.

I’m anticipating 1-3 more months of no tennis.

Sucks.

I’m in the acceptance phase of this injury. I’ve been just doing upper body workouts since I can’t really use my legs without setting me back more.

Very frustrating injury because I’ll feel good enough to play or bike in a weeks time- go out and hit and end up with a dull ache and realize it’s not healed yet and I’ve basically elongated my healing process all over again.

Compared to tennis elbow- this injury feels worse. When the pain is onset- every step literally hurts. I try walking around and i have to wince every other step.