| You cannot watch football this season without | | | | when the big toe is abnormally hyper-extended. |
| hearing about Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. | | | | This injury can often be more debilitating than a |
| They have been over analyzed in every way | | | | foot sprain because of the important role the big |
| possible. So much attention surrounds the legend | | | | toe plays in pushing off the ground when running. |
| and the rising star who replaced him. They have | | | | The grading system is the same as a foot sprain |
| faced each other twice already this season, both | | | | with Grade 1 being a minor injury and grade 3 |
| with a Favre victory, yet the discussions don't | | | | being more severe. |
| seem to subside for a moment. So, to add on to | | | | To prevent further damage with the ability to |
| this intense analysis, let us explore the foot | | | | continue activities, taping techniques have been |
| injuries of the two athletes! | | | | proven quite effective. The severity of the foot |
| Prior to the Viking and Packer game, Favre had | | | | injuries of Favre and Rodgers has been |
| his first report on the Viking's injury list with foot | | | | downplayed and seeing their continued |
| pain. Nothing more was said about the issue other | | | | performance on the field allows us to assume |
| than that he had a sore foot. The irony of the | | | | they are minor. |
| situation is that after the game, Rodgers suffered | | | | Still, these injuries can be very painful and |
| from a foot and a toe sprain. Is this the beginning | | | | increases the risk for a more severe injury. To |
| of the end? Did Favre get the last word through | | | | prevent further injuries, both players should be |
| foot injuries? | | | | undergoing physical therapy and switch to a more |
| A sprain describes an injury in which a ligament | | | | stable shoe gear. The cleats and the flexibility of |
| between two bones is stretched, damaged or | | | | football shoes increase the chance that the foot |
| torn. A Grade 1 injury is fairly mild with only minor | | | | will be twisted in a position that could worsen the |
| damage to the ligament. A Grade 2 injury is a | | | | injury. |
| partially torn ligament and a Grade 3 is a ligament | | | | Rodgers' first line of treatment should be to have |
| that is completely torn. With a grade 1 injury, the | | | | more protection on the field. It is likely that the |
| recovery time is short with very few possible | | | | injury resulted after one of his many sacks this |
| complications. | | | | season. Favre, has age working against him. |
| On the other hand, a grade 3 can takes months | | | | Younger athletes tend to recover better and |
| to heal and is often extremely painful. Foot sprains | | | | faster than older athletes, but Favre has proven |
| are rare in the general population, but are | | | | that age does not define his ability to play football. |
| common in sports that put the foot in abnormal | | | | Only time will tell if these injuries will advance to a |
| twisting positions. Such injuries usually result in a | | | | more serious problem that will take them off the |
| grade 1 or grade 2 damage and complete | | | | field. |
| recovery can be seen within the season with | | | | The likelihood of these injuries progressing is |
| much improvement in only weeks. | | | | unlikely since they seem to be only presenting |
| Treatment consists of rest, icing, strapping, and | | | | with minor symptoms. Thus, the live football |
| anti-inflammatory drugs. A sprained big toe is | | | | drama series of Favre versus Rodgers will |
| better known as turf toe. This usually results | | | | continue. |
