Turf Toe

Two of our Bartold Biomechanics members, Dr Ruth Highet and Mr Gareth Milne, both from lovely New Zealand, almost simultaneously requested an update on this most troubling of injuries. It is especially a problem in the Rugby codes. Let's take a look.

In 1976, Bowers and Martin coined the term “turf toe” to describe an increasingly prevalent injury to the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint in athletes competing on artificial turf. In fact this injury represents a simple hyperextension injury to the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint and may occur on any athletic surface. The injury occurs when the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint is dorsiflexed beyond its physiological range during weight bearing, resulting in initial stretching of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint capsule and plantar plate. If the injurious load is maintained, these structures may tear.