When news broke that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was out for 3 months, fans were understandably worried. To shed light on the situation, we turned to OrthoCincy orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Amelia Wiggins, who joined FOX19 to discuss the diagnosis.

As Dr. Wiggins explained, Burrow’s injury, a Grade 3 turf toe, is the most severe form of this condition. It’s not just a sprain; it involves a complete tear of the ligaments in the big toe joint. For an elite athlete, this significant injury goes far beyond simple pain, as it impacts the crucial ability to push off and generate power during a throw.

Because of the severity, this type of injury almost always requires surgical intervention to repair the torn ligaments and stabilize the joint. Dr. Wiggins detailed the recovery timeline, noting that Burrow is facing a minimum of three months on the sidelines. While a tough break for the team, this expert insight helps us understand the seriousness of the injury and the road to recovery that lies ahead for Burrow.