What Is a Plantar Plate Injury?

The plantar plate is a thick, fibrous ligament that runs along the ball of your foot, connecting the toe joints. This ligament helps keep the toes in place and protects the metatarsal from overloading. It also prevents the toes from overextending or spreading too far apart. 

When the plantar plate becomes strained, it can tear, causing pain and instability.

How Do You Tear Your Plantar Plate?

Plantar plate injuries typically begin gradually and are the result of overloading the ligament through overexertion. However, sometimes a plantar plate tear can happen suddenly. In these cases, there are usually one or more of the following contributing factors:

• The tendency to roll the foot inwards

• The presence of a bunion or hammertoe

• A relatively long second metatarsal bone

• Participating in sports or activities that place pressure on the ball of the foot

Dancers, runners, and climbers are more likely to tear their plantar plates. These tears commonly develop at the second toe, since that metatarsal is typically the longest.

Symptoms of a plantar plate injury include:

• Sharp pain in the ball of the foot

• A persistent, dull ache near the second toe

• Deformity of the toe, typically up and to the side

• Swelling under the ball of the foot

• A grinding sensation in the toes

• Two toes separating, creating a “V” between the toes 

If a plantar plate injury is not treated properly, the deformity can become more severe, leading to pain and even the development of arthritis. 

Treatment for Plantar Plate Injuries

Dr. Elton and his team at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery will begin by diagnosing the pain in the ball of your foot. A plantar plate injury can usually be determined through a physical exam, and its severity found with imaging tests.

Plantar plate injuries can range from a mild strain to complete tear. Whenever possible, Dr. Elton and his team will attempt to treat the injury nonsurgically, such as:

• Rest

• Ice

• Anti-inflammatory medications

• Taping the toes

• Padding the area around the injury

• Physical therapy and stretching

• Shoe inserts

• Activity modification

• Wearing an orthopaedic boot

If conservative methods do not alleviate the pain or allow the ligament to heal, Dr. Elton may recommend surgical intervention. This could include:

• Removing the factors that lead to your plantar plate injury

• Realigning the metatarsal bones

• Suturing the plantar plate

• Anatomic repair of the joint

• A resection osteotomy to correct chronic cases

Surgery to repair a plantar plate injury is rarely needed. More often than not, conservative methods will help relieve symptoms. If surgery is recommended, patients are usually protected with a walking boot for about a month, resuming normal activities after completing physical therapy. 

Pain in the Ball of the Foot? Contact Team Elton today!

If you are experiencing pain in the ball of your foot, contact Dr. Elton and his team today! As the top-rated foot and ankle physician in the High Rockies, Dr. Elton will use the latest in orthopaedic innovation to get you back to the activities you love. 

Schedule your appointment today by calling (970) 476-7220 or by completing Dr. Elton’s online appointment request form.