home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- $Unique_ID{BRK01499}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{The Implications of "Turf Toe"}
- $Subject{football artificial turf toe ligaments musculoskeletal system
- connective tissue sprained injury hyperextension joint capsule toes ligament
- tissues sprain injured hyperextend joints foot feet capsules}
- $Volume{M-18}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- The Implications of "Turf Toe"
-
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- QUESTION: My son sprained his toe during football practice, and his coach
- made us visit the team doctor. We were then sent to the orthopedic surgeon
- who called the condition "Turf Toe" and pulled my son out of competition right
- at the height of the season. Isn't this a bit too conservative? My son is a
- fine athlete with a real future if they only will let him play.
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: You obviously don't understand the implications of "turf toe," or you
- would be praising your physicians instead of feeling that they are too
- conservative. Turf Toe is an injury of hyperextension of the toe, meaning it
- has been pulled back beyond the normal limits of the joint. It is not a
- simple sprain, but an injury that can damage the ligaments and capsule
- (fibrous tissue that surrounds joint). When not treated properly, permanent
- stiffness and early arthritis can result. When artificial turf first became
- popular, athletes changed their shoes for highly flexible models that afforded
- more traction, but did not provide sufficient support for the joints in the
- toes. We now know that shoes must provide adequate protection if this injury
- is to be avoided. Stick with your doctors on this one.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-