Toe problem

[andychief]

About 3 weeks ago I was playing in a football match and was involved in a 50-50 challenge. I think this is what set the pain off but I finished the game struggling with pain in my big toe on my right foot. It bruised over the next 24 hours pretty badly, pretty much the entie toe and extending down onto the foot.
Walking was painful for about a day or two, I didn't go to the doctors as it wasn't swollen at all really - I could walk on it.
the main pain subsided after two days, bruising went away - I even played again two weeks later (ie las week). however i still have an uncomfortable feeling in my toe, or rather at the side of it, sort of where the toe joins the foot. It still hurts if i apply pressure to the toe when bending it or when moving it to the side. the joint between toe and foot seems to be cracking alot too when i walk on it after having sat down for a while. Are these symptons signs of Ligament damage. I won't be playing for 3 weeks anyway, I take it this would be long enough to rest up and let it heal?

[Heidi]

Could possibly be ligament damage to one of the ligaments which connect the proximal phalange (bone in the big toe nearest the foot) and the Metatarsal. This is sometimes called turf toe and you can find out about it here:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/foot/turftoe.htm

If this is the case rest is about all you can do for it so it is lucky you have the time off now! You could maybe get some ultrasound on it to help it heal.

Other alternative injuries to consider are tendon damage or a possible avulsion fracture - where the tendon pulls a small piece of bone off