Understanding Desmond Bane’s Grade 2 Big Toe Sprain

• Post By: Jeff Stotts
• Date: November 15, 2022
• Category: NBA, Understanding...

Just as the Memphis Grizzlies were preparing to welcome Jaren Jackson Jr. back from offseason foot surgery, the team loses another key piece to injury. Desmond Bane, the emerging backcourt mate of Ja Morant, is slated to miss an extended period of time with an injury the Grizzlies are calling a “Grade 2 sprain of his right big toe.”

The big toe is made up of two joints, the 1st metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and the 1st interphalangeal joint. The MTP joint is the most commonly sprained big toe joint and is often referred to as turf toe. The injury originally got its name because it often occurred on hard and unforgiving artificial turf. However, the name can be a bit misleading as turf toe can still occur on other surfaces that force the big toe into hyperextension.   

A forced extension of the MTP joint can cause the ligaments surrounding the area to become sprained, leaving the affected individual in considerable amount of pain, especially with weight bearing. Furthermore, the injury is very functionally limiting, especially because the 1^st MTP joint acts as a major lever for pushing off and jumping. During these movements, the 1^st MTP joint is often subjected to forces equal to 70 to 100 percent of an individual’s body weight. To make things worse, turf toe tends to linger and can easily be aggravated or reinjured, even with modified footwear.

Over 150 cases of big toe sprains have occurred in the NBA since the 2005-06 season. The average time lost for big toe sprains that resulted in missed time was roughly 10 days (~4.0 games). Memphis’ estimated timeline of two-to-three weeks is longer than this projection, likely due to the severity of Bane’s injury. A Grade 2 sprain means the ligaments involved in the injury have been partially torn. The Grizzlies have shown a tendency to take a conservative approach to treatment with their young nucleus and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bane’s return come on the latter end of the provided window.

The timing of the injury is unfortunate as Bane had started the season on a blistering pace. The third-year guard is averaging 24.7 points per game on 46.5 percent shooting, including an impressive 45.1 percent from behind the arc. He is also averaging career high in rebounds, assists, and free-throw attempts per game though 12 games played. With Bane sidelined, the Grizzlies will turn to John Konchar and Tyus Jones to help Morant in the backcourt.