Imaging of Turf Toe

Ultrasound imaging in professional soccer: when is it adequate?

Ultrasound imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of injuries in professional soccer players. With the rapid increase in the availability of hand-held portable ultrasound devices and the pressure to make timely and accurate diagnosis in professional soccer where return to play time is crucial, ultrasound imaging is an essential diagnostic tool. In this article, we discuss examples of injuries that can be adequately assessed by ultrasound imaging alone and injuries where ultrasound imaging provides a useful first step to guide further investigation and management.

First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Pain in Athletes: Diagnosis, Management, and Return to Play Considerations

ABSTRACT

The first metatarsal-phalangeal joint plays a key role for athletes of various disciplines. When an athlete presents for evaluation of pain at this joint, there are several causes that should be considered. The purpose of this article is to review common injuries including turf toe, sand toe, extensor and flexor hallucis longus tendinopathy, sesamoiditis, and metatarsalgia and provide current evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, management, and return to play considerations. Conditions not specific to athletes like gout and hallux rigidus also are discussed. Mechanism of injury, physical examination, and imaging such as weight-bearing radiographs and point-of-care ultrasound can help with diagnosis. Treatment of many of these injuries begins with nonsurgical management strategies including footwear or activity modification, physical therapy, and select interventions.