KT Tape: Turf Toe

Turf Toe, a sprain of the metatarsophalangeal joint, is a condition that results from acute or chronic hyperextension of the big toe. The condition affects both the joint and the connective tissue resulting in painful inflammation and bruising. Often times the ligaments and tendons are stretched, and in severe cases torn. Greater risk occurs when one wears flexible footwear meant to grab the running surface, such as soccer cleats, or if one has greater than normal range of motion in the ankle.
Athletes who perform on artificial and dense surfaces are especially at risk - most notably American football players and dancers. The mode of injury is often when a force presses downward on the calf while the foot and toe remain flat on the ground. The toe becomes hyperextended and the ligaments/joint become injured. There are many instances wherein the toe can become hyperextended such as kneeling abruptly or repeatedly, breaking into a sprint, or any instance in which one pushes off of the forefoot and the toe stays flat. Running barefoot can increase the chance of developing turf toe due to the lack of support to which one may be accustomed. The condition can happen all at once if the force is great enough, or can develop over time with repeated extension of the toe beyond it's normal range of motion.
Pain is felt at the base of the big toe both on the bottom and more notably on the top. Pain can radiate into the bones of the foot and swelling may occur. Pain is recreated by extending the toe upwards or leaning forward onto the toe. The condition is generally severely painful during walking or running and can create stiffness. Long time sufferers of turf toe are thought to be more prone to arthritis of the joint later in life, making it all the more important to treat the condition effectively and completely prior to continued use.
KT Tape helps to treat turf toe by providing therapeutic stability and support while maintaining a healthy range of motion. It may take up to 4 weeks for the condition to completely subside, but with KT Tape and the following guidelines, you will certainly reduce the amount of time necessary to return to normal activity levels. If symptoms do not subside at all within 12 hours, consider an X-ray to check for fractures.
• Most importantly, rest the joint. Use of crutches may be necessary to totally relieve the pressure on the joint.
• Use footwear with a rigid sole. This will help prevent accidental hyperextension.
• Make certain to KT Tape the toe at all times when barefoot.
• Use anti-inflammatory medication during intense bouts of pain.
• Ice the injury immediately after injury and after any activity.
• Evaluate the mode of injury and take steps to prevent further irritation or injury.
• Improve running form through strength training as well as gait analysis and correction.
For more resources, please visit the KT Tape website at www.kttape.com.

[@KTTapevideos]

Thanks for the feedback. We'll take that into consideration for the next round of videos. That's one of the great things about the tape. It's versatile and the more you use it the more you will begin to find new ways to use it. Thanks again!

[@sinnedsemath3947]

Just bought some kt tape today and it has helped so much along with the k'boot during this injury

[@tungstenwhizard4361]

She's much gentler than a lot of PTs I've seen on YT.

[@TRoll3rCo4ster]

Will this also work similarly when applied to a sprained second toe? (As in the "index" toe for lack of knowledge of the names of the toes)

[@KTTapevideos]

No because normal sports tape does not have the same elastic quality as KT Tape. This allows the tape to lift your skin away from the tissue beneath which stimulates blood flow so you heal faster, but it also allows the tape to move with your body so you don't lose any range of movement.

[@misanthropic777]

Just tried this on my MP sprain and it works great!

[@aud-3674]

Hi, i have a bunion and turf toe right now. Can I use both taping method together?

[@fergiesinstructionaltraining]

Very articulate, easy to follow. Good information.

[@davidmoya6449]

Why would you use KT tape for this? As opposed to a regular AT tape job?

[@juanaguilera93]

Would it effect the kt tape if I secured it with athletic tape?

[@BigVK19]

Greetings, I am experiencing the inflammation now, so I'm guessing it's too late for the tape? Normally, I get a little stinging feeling the day following the overextension, which then results in the increased pain followed by inflammation. At what point is the ideal situation to apply the tape to prevent swelling?

[@TheDonaldCoyote]

It is nice to see the application process on someone, but i found the writing/narration pretty useless for a general application. Following the directions will not work for different size/shape feet. I have wasted two strips now trying to figure out how to make it fit my longer foot. Even using 1/4 instead of 1/3 for the toe, the longer piece does not reach the first piece, much less the end of the toe, if anchored behind the heel and stretched as described. Please provide useful information such as what is the wrap around the two supposed to accomplish, what points need to be anchored by what amount of stretch, are these for support or for warming muscles...? I was using pre-cut strips similar to this for a couple of months and my pain had disappeared, but has reappeared in the last week since trying KT tape...

[@hi5_centipedes874]

Is it the same method for the second toe next to the big toe?

[@KTTapevideos]

Awesome, thanks for letting us know!

[@KTTapevideos]

More coverage is never a bad thing. Give it a try and let us know how it works!

[@karenheinrich5435]

Does the toe stay in dorsiflexion when you apply the end of the long strip to the toe [that which is on 10% stretch]?

[@anthonydavis9382]

Is it possible to get Turf toe from your midfoot being ran over?

[@KTTapevideos]

You can use either. The Pro does better on feet but both will work.

[@jacquesmarjaq3173]

Not sure if this works! I have tried with the the standard KT available from Amazon, and I believe that the KT shown in this video is longer and wider than what is commercially available. The strips I got were 2 inches by 10 inches.. Are you using bigger strips and are these synthetic or cotton?

[@KTTapevideos]

No, these strips are the standard size: 10" long by 2" wide. Be careful on Amazon: there are a lot of counterfeit products sold there. Try our website for the freshest product.

[@KTTapevideos]

We do carry our Pro Wide tape that is twice as wide (4 inches), the length is 10 inches. Here is a link: www.kttape.com/kt-tape-protm-wide-black/

[@user-bk3yr5zq8k]

which kind of tape is on the video?

[@BenPernezny]

Turf toe has been the only orthopedic issue I have encountered while running long distances in FiveFingers. I have been able to manage it quite well with the KT tape application shown above. Only comment would be that I have much better luck with the original KT tape than the Pro for this application...the Pro tape degrades quickly inside the FiveFIngers and won't last a long race, whereas the original holds up considerably longer.

[@DreamsNAspirations]

I actually came to this video looking for a wrap for exactly that purpose. I have the same problem going long distances in my FiveFingers. Thanks so much for that tip.

[@Rain.Hashira]

Ben Pernezny stop runnning in that bullshit

[@ricodargan3966]

Will the same wrapping work with normal sports tape?

[@angiem.holtzer5958]

Can you run with the tape on?

[@imraneakh1475]

even with the turf .. my toe still hurting me after almost 2 year 😟😟. someone could help me wiry any solution ?!!

[@Dma112288]

imrane akh rest... stay off of it until it doesn't hurt and then stay off of it some more.

[@KTTapevideos]

You're welcome. Let us know how it goes for you!

[@buzzmeanytime]

How do I tape my toe if I have a bone spur growing from the joint at the toe of the joint. Right toe.

[@KTTapevideos]

It depends on how you secure it. If you simply tape over it then yes it will. The regular athletic tape will not allow the KT Tape to stretch with your skin properly. If you are only applying it to the anchors then you should be fine. If you're having trouble getting the tape to stay on properly by itself, send an email to us a [e-mail] and we'll look into it.

[@ZakH644]

Works great 👍 pretty sure I broke my big toe a few years ago.

[@sharonkelly5437]

Can you demonstrate how to tape a floating great toe? Thank you!

[@hollyvelocitygrl]

I have been having pain (under big toe) building up over the last 6 months to a year, and my inner big toe has grown out sideways longer than the other -but it's all bone + there's no swelling. Does anyone know what I have? Is this the same as Turf Toe

[@paigeknutson671]

I had the same problem. I had an in-grown toe nail.

[@hollyvelocitygrl]

lol that's not the same thing. -Or you've got one fuking big toenail sticking out of the side of your foot

[@drbg43]

hollyvelocitygrl I think you have a bunion

[@TheGymnastic101]

thnx fr th hw2. lts tst ths.

[@pointelover1019]

I got one from dance

[@ALIENSHADZ]

need this for muay thai, hurt my toe , aint been the same

[@GriffinLo]

same here man...

[@ALIENSHADZ]

Griffin Lo icing it as i type this now.. LOL :(

[@GriffinLo]

I feel you, it becomes such a pissoff when you can't train because of goddamn toe injuries :s

[@MrLeafsta]

ALIENSHADZ 13 , I've had this injury for 9 months now from kick boxing. did yours heal in the end. mines always painful when some one stands on my foot or I catch it.

[@CADETALALIMHVDSECJFCOY]

HAHA same bro, i also need this for karate and judo

[@r_watkinsi9443]

I got that from b-ball

[@watchman835]

Hi Mikaela, if you are reading this…😊😊😊

[@kaybryant761]

Just bought the tape and tried it out. I'm having trouble with making the tape stick.

[@KTTapevideos]

Karen, send an email to support@kttape. com and they will take care of you.

[@biancadrumea6913]

Try the original, not the Pro. Sticks much better

[@joshuagarcia1998]

the tap on the arch isnt sticking! UGH!

[@zyoh4311]

@@natedawg1238 you're 4 years late EB White

[@rosco6033]

She's looking into my soul

[@irwannn]

I have toe dislocation,can I uses this?

[@spanishderp]

Lol what

[@irwannn]

@@spanishderp finger dislocation bro

[@whitelightning7847]

Wow she has a tough job

[@wangeezy]

👀

[@MsDegrassichik]

i got turf toe from gymnastics

[@TheGymnastic101]

me too. only i smashed my toe into the pommel horse

[@MsDegrassichik]

***** I smashed it in a back handspring

[@aggirl52703]

Both of them ... Ouch! A backhandspring and running into a pommel horse...that's gotta hurt...

[@katiehardman248]

Me too! I was laying on the floor and jumped and heard a pop and its been hurting for a week now but I can't go to the doctor's because I have state this weekend and my coach won't let me go

[@chotuankur3820]

po

[@mrsTimmyFranklin]

i like po, shes one of the teletubbies. but this isnt the teletubbies youtube channel. youre confused. probably drunk. or a troll. or both

[@SomethingRandomInc]

This chick is hot lol

[@davidmoya6449]

That's just a basic bitch.

[@Scythe1337]

KT Tape and their taping methods are garbage.

[@richardv.582]

Troll.