Which of the following is NOT a symptom of turf toe?

Turf toe is a common injury among athletes that involves a sprain of the ligaments surrounding the big toe, often caused by hyperextension. Recognizing its symptoms can help in both diagnosis and treatment.

Swelling at the injury site is indeed a typical symptom, as inflammation occurs in response to the strain placed on the toe's ligaments. Similarly, pain with active flexion and extension of the great toe is a fundamental characteristic of this condition, as the movement puts stress on the injured ligaments. Stiffness can also accompany turf toe, particularly as the injury develops and the surrounding tissues tighten due to pain or inflammation.

Loss of balance, however, is not a standard symptom associated with turf toe. While an injured athlete may experience some instability or discomfort when pushing off or moving, the fundamental symptoms are more directly linked to pain, swelling, and stiffness at the toe joint itself rather than a broad impact on balance. Therefore, it is accurate to state that loss of balance is not a symptom consistent with turf toe.