Are you experiencing discomfort in your big toe? If so, you’re not alone. Turf Toe and Gout both affect the big toe. While there are similarities between these two conditions, they have some key differences that differentiate the two.
For individuals in Warwick, NY, Middletown, NY, and Milford, PA that want to learn more about Turf Toe and Gout, read on to learn a comprehensive overview of what these two conditions are, what their causes, and the symptoms associated with each.
What is Turf Toe?
Turf Toe is an injury in the big toe. When an individual has a turf toe injury, this means that their toe ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues in the joint have stretched or torn. Football players commonly experience this injury, along with athletes who sprint or jump. Turf toe is generally recoverable with rest, ice, and medication such as ibuprofen.
Causes
An individual may develop a turf toe injury if their big toe is bent at a 90-degree angle and pressed flatly against the ground. When someone is in this position, it’s essential not to put too much pressure on the big toe. This is because added pressure can hyperextend the big toe, making the toe go beyond its normal range of motion and ultimately causing injury.
In addition to this, someone may experience a turf toe injury if they have too many repetitive movements over time. It can also be a result of sudden trauma or from sudden changes in foot position.
Symptoms
There are various symptoms associated with this injury and symptoms can range from mild to severe. With that said, symptoms usually start as mild and get worse over time. Symptoms associated with turf toe include:
- Pain and tenderness: An individual may experience continuous pain or they may experience pain when they press their toe. In some instances, the toe pain can be so severe that putting any weight on it is too uncomfortable.
- Swelling and bruising: Another symptom of this injury is swelling and bruising. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the big toe to feel inflamed. Additionally, you may notice bruising surrounding the inflamed toe and can even extend up to the foot.
- Limited range of motion: Turf toe can also cause a limited range of motion for some people. You may not be able to move your toe around or bend it freely. It may even feel like your foot is weak.
- Loose Joints: The metatarsophalangeal (MTP) is one of two joints in your big toe. When someone has this injury, it’s possible for their MTP to feel unstable.
What is Gout?
Gout is a common, but complex type of arthritis characterized by severe attacks of pain that appear suddenly and is usually accompanied by swelling, redness, and tenderness, often in the big toe. It’s important to note that anyone can get gout.
An individual with gout will feel like their foot is on fire because the affected joint feels hot, swollen, and feels tender. Oftentimes, gout can feel so uncomfortable that any additional weight on the toe may be intolerable. With that said, it’s common for gout symptoms to come and go. It’s possible for those with gout to manage their symptoms by implementing the right methods.
Causes
If you have gout, this means that urate crystals have built up in your joint, causing inflammation. Urate crystals are a combination of calcium, urate, and a few other substances seen in the urine.
Our bodies develop urate crystals when there are high levels of uric acid in the blood. This is because our bodies produce uric acid when it breaks down purines (substances found naturally in the body).
Purines are also in certain foods such as scallops, mussels, anchovies, trout, and tuna. Alcoholic beverages, such as beer, also contain excessive levels of uric acid. Eating these types of foods and drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of gout.
While uric acid usually dissolves in the blood and passes through your kidneys, sometimes the body produces too much or the kidneys don’t excrete enough, leading to build-up.
Symptoms
There are various symptoms associated with gout. Most individuals with gout will notice symptoms suddenly. Here are a few symptoms to know about.
- Severe joint pain: Gout often affects the big toe, though it can occur in any joint. You may notice intense joint pain, specifically between the first four to 12 hours after it starts.
- Discomfort that lingers: Even when the intense pain subsides, gout often lingers in discomfort. This discomfort generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks.
- Inflammation and redness: It’s not uncommon for the affected joint to become red, swollen, tender, and warm to the touch.
- Limited range of motion: As gout continues to progress, range of motion will become more difficult.
Difference Between Turf Toe and Gout
While turf toe and gout have similarities in symptoms, there are key differences to remember. A turf toe is an injury that is caused by an outside force. In contrast, gout is caused by an internal factor. More specifically, the symptoms of a turf toe injury are due to the hyperextension of your toe, while gout is due to uric acid crystals in the body.
Additionally, you can better manage gout with the help of an improved diet, medication, and certain lifestyle changes. The treatment for turf toe will depend on the injury and the associated symptoms.
Consider Frankel Foot & Ankle Center for Turf Toe and Gout Treatment
If you’re living in Warwick, NY, Middletown, NY, Milford, PA, or the surrounding area, consider Frankel Foot & Ankle Center for specialized treatment. We specialize in treating complex foot and ankle problems to help our patients get back on track.
If you have Turf Toe or Gout, rely on our team of professionals, innovative technology, and pain-free procedures to get you back on your feet again. We know how painful it can be to live with these types of conditions. The good news is that you don’t have to. We will diagnose the cause of your symptoms and provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan, enabling you to live in comfort. Contact us today to learn more.
