• Michaud T
• Hauser A

• Foot
• Foot Injuries
• Hallux / injuries
• Open Access Document

Objective: This article provides an overview of the conservative management of turf toe, evaluating etiological factors associated with the development of this common injury and reviewing evidence-based treatment interventions.

Discussion: Turf toe is a frequently encountered sports injury in which the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) is rapidly dorsiflexed, damaging some or all of the connective tissues responsible for limiting first MTP dorsiflexion. Although frequently described as a contact injury in which one player collides with the foot of another player, research shows the majority of turf toe injuries are noncontact in nature, and this distinction is significant as interventions for contact and noncontact injuries are different. The most probable biomechanical cause of noncontact turf toe is excessive pronation, as several studies have shown that this injury is more likely to occur in people with low arches. While the exact mechanism explaining the connection between turf toe and excessive pronation is unclear, this article suggests that noncontact turf toe is a continuum of functional hallux limitus, a condition in which excessive pronation increases ground reactive forces centered beneath the first metatarsal head, which in turn produces a bony blockage of first MTP dorsiflexion that greatly increases the likelihood of turf toe injury.

Conclusion: Specific aspects of orthotic intervention that may play a role in preventing turf toe are described in detail. The various manual techniques and rehabilitative stretches and exercises necessary to improve first MTP motion and reduce the risk of turf toe are also discussed.

Author keywords: Turf Toe; Functional Hallux Limitus; Orthotic; Varus Posts; Retrotalar Pulley.

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher. Click on the above link for free full text.