Dr. Thomas O. Clanton Receives Research Grant for the Evaluation of Serious Turf Toe Injuries

The Orthopaedic Education Foundation of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society recently awarded Dr. Thomas O. Clanton, orthopaedic surgeon and Director of Foot and Ankle Sports Medicine for the Steadman Clinic in Vail, CO, a research grant concerning Turf Toe Injuries. This research initiative, which was conducted at The Steadman Philippon Research Institute, provides a detailed evaluation of turf toe injuries using a method of analysis that utilizes stress radiographs.

Turf toe injuries occur when the big toe is hyperextended or moved to a position that is beyond its normal range of motion leading to a sprain to the ligaments and soft tissue that surround the big toe joint. It is an injury commonly seen in high-level athletes such as gymnasts, football and soccer players. Historically, there has been dispute on the best course of treatment to repair turf toe injuries, because there is not a specific standardized approach.

This new study proposes a quantitative grading system based on dorsiflexion stress radiographs. This will result in a predictable and reproducible test for evaluating the extent of injury to the first MTP joint.

The study was performed in the Department of BioMedical Engineering (BME) at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado and the results were submitted for publication this month.

See the full story: Research Grant Awarded To Dr. Thomas O. Clanton, Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon in Vail, CO for the Evaluation of Serious Turf Toe Injuries