Forefoot problems in athletes

Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999 Jul;31(7 Suppl):S448-58. doi: 10.1097/00005768-199907001-00006.

Abstract

Athletes who participate in high-impact sports involving running, jumping, or contact are at risk for forefoot injury. These injuries occur as a result of acute trauma or chronic overuse. Some athletes may be predisposed to injury because of preexisting foot deformity, such as cavus, hallux valgus, or Achilles contracture. This article reviews the common causes of forefoot pain in the athlete. The most common causes of forefoot pain in the athlete are metatarsal stress fracture, interdigital neuroma, sesamoid pathology, metatarsalgia, hallux rigidus, hallux valgus, and turf toe. The pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of these conditions are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Athletic Injuries / complications*
  • Athletic Injuries / diagnosis
  • Athletic Injuries / therapy
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Forefoot, Human / injuries*
  • Fractures, Bone / complications
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnosis
  • Fractures, Bone / therapy
  • Humans
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / complications
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / therapy
  • Pain / etiology*