Tackling Sports Injuries of the Forefoot and Midfoot
As Rhett B. Mason, MD, FRACS, reviewed, turf toe involves injury to the plantar structures of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ). He said turf toe has become more prevalent due to the development of artificial turf and lighter, more flexible running shoes.
Dr. Mason noted the clinical presentation of turf toe involves a hyperextension injury, pain on push-off during weight-bearing, swelling and tenderness, pain on passive extension, and a positive Lachman test. One should compare weight-bearing AP, lateral and sesamoid X-ray views. Favinger and colleagues advocated considering sesamoid diastasis if the sesamoid interval is greater than 2 mm on a routine AP radiograph of the foot.1
Dr. Mason noted Clanton and Ford classified turf toe in 1994 and McCormick and Anderson modified that classification in 2010.2,3 Grade 1 is a sprain, grade 2 is a partial tear, and grade 3 is a complete tear.
Conservative treatment for turf toe options include RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), taping the toe in slight plantarflexion, rehabilitation, a Morton’s extension, and a carbon flber splint, said Dr. Mason.
Click here to read the rest of this article at the Foot & Ankle Surgery Institute.
