Many saw AstroTurf as a miracle surface when it first lined stadiums in the 1960s, the Hospital for Special Surgeries notes. It was easy to clean and maintain, and didn't need any watering. Its cheers soon turned to jeers when players started getting hurt. Although artificial turf has advanced since its early days, a number of specific injuries are still more likely on artificial turf than they are on natural grass.
Astro Injuries
AstroTurf was revolutionary enough to create a couple of new injuries that didn't even exist for players on a natural surface, the Hospital for Special Surgeries says, namely turf burn and turf toe. Turf burn is basically what it sounds like, a burning scrape on the skin from friction against the AstroTurf. Turf toe is a stiff big toe, technically known as hallux rigidus, which comes about from playing on AstroTurf.
Other Injuries
AstroTurf tend to create a number of knee injuries and sore muscles, the Hospital for Special Surgeries explains, as well as a few other ailments. Concussions were higher on AstroTurf than on natural grass, as were ankle sprains and ligament tears. Common tears were those to the anterior cruciate ligament, which supports and stabilizes the knee.
New Turf
An updated artificial turf, called FieldTurf, came into play in 2000, according to MedPage Today. While the new turf's manufacturer claimed FieldTurf was more natural and therefore safer than AstroTurf, injuries still abounded. Players still face a higher chance of lower extremity injuries on FieldTurf than they do on natural grass. They are also more at risk for the injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament and ankle sprains.
Why It Injures
Two key elements ensure AstroTurf will pose a greater risk of injury than playing on natural grass unless those elements are addressed, the Hospital for Special Surgery reports. The first is coefficient of friction, which is the amount of force it takes for a player's planted foot to slip on the surface. Older AstroTurf had a very high coefficient of friction, meaning it took a lot of force to move that planted foot. Players who were used to more freedom of movement would find their foot stuck firmly in place. Coefficient of restitution, or the ability of a surface to absorb shock, is the second reason players get injured. Grass and other natural surfaces have a tendency to absorb shock better than concrete and artificial surfaces, such as AstroTurf.
