Turf ToeThis is a featured page

Name of Injury
Turf Toe
Description of Injury
Turf Toe is a sprain of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe. This is a result of hyperflexion or bending it too far upward. The big toe on a person's foot is the last part of the body to have contact with the ground and that can result in 8 times a person's weight pushing and providing stress on the joint. Due to this stress, the hyperflexion that results is somewhat forced and causes the injury.

Turf Toe - The Anatomy WikiTurf Toe - The Anatomy Wiki
Skeletal Elements Involved
There are four bones and 9 ligaments involved when referring to Turf Toe. That alone makes this very complex in nature. While there are four bones making up this joint, only the two sesamoid bones that are within the tendon are important in its movement and structure. These sesamoid bones are used as fulcrums to increase the power of the muscles they are attached to.
Along with these smaller bones, there are the major bones of the area like the metatarsals and phalanges around the joint.

Turf Toe - The Anatomy Wiki

Turf Toe - The Anatomy Wiki
Muscle Elements Involved
The joint that turf toe normally occurs on is not involved with many muscles. It is however involved with three major muscle attachments. These attachments are the flexor hallucis brevis, the adductor hallucis and the abducor hallucis. Again with these muscle attachments combined with the ligaments and sesamoid bones, these make the joint very strong, but flexible in movement.
Turf Toe - The Anatomy Wiki


Ligaments/Tendons/Other
The MTP joint is composed of many ligaments and tendons due to its location on the body. With few muscles and bones around it is highly composed of ligaments and tendons which contribute to it's flexibility. The major ligament that is in tact is the flexor hallucis brevis, which connect the muscles on the foot. This along with the 4 main ligaments (2 collaterals and 2 plantars) help provide support and stability for the joint.




Cause of Injury
The cause of Turf Toe is usually resulting from the hyperextention of the big toe on the foot. This is believed to occur when an athlete's foot grabs at a surface and the rest of the body is in movement caising it to hyperextend. Most of these injuries are results from American football players playing on turf, but this injury can occur on any playing surface.


Treatment
RICE is the best way to treat turf toe. RICE means rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Anti-inflammatory drugs may also be used to lessen the pain and decrease swelling. Sometimes a short leg cast or a walker boot is used if pain is severe enough. The most important aspect of treatment is to minimize movement of the forefoot. If this treatment fails, surgery can be performed, although it is rarely necessary.





Famous Sports Figures Afflicted
Ladainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers), Darren McFadden (Oakland Raiders), Deon Sanders( Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys), Tyson Chandler (Oklahoma City Thunder), Ty Lawson (North Carolina Tar Heels)

Turf Toe - The Anatomy Wiki
Ladainian Tomlinson

Vocabulary
Hyperextension- the extension of a body part beyond normal limits.
Adductor Hallucis- a muscle of the foot that adducts or moves toward the rest of the foot.
Abductor Hallucis- a muscle of the foot that abducts or moves away from the rest of the foot.
Metatarsophalangeal joint- (MTP) the joint between the metatarsals and phalanges of the foot.
Collateral Ligament- any of the ligaments on the other side of a hinge joint.
Plantar Ligament- long ligament on the bottom of the foot connecting the calcaneus and cuboid bone.
Sesamoid Bone- bone embedded within a tendon.

References

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1236962-treatment
http://www.defrancostraining.com/ask_joe/images/pics/week101/turf-toe.gif
http://www.wheelessonline.com/images/i1/mtpd4.jpg
http://www.athleticadvisor.com/Injuries/LE/Foot&Ankle/turf_-
_toe.htmhttp://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-175526841.html


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SuEwing 		Latest page update: made by SuEwing , Apr 23 2009, 12:09 AM EDT (about this update About This Update SuEwing Edited by SuEwing

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