OPEN Monday – Friday
CLOSED Saturday – Sunday
(404) 806-3731
Fax: (770) 321-0001
2864 Johnson Ferry Rd, Suite 100
Marietta GA 30062
Logo

What Is a Plantar Plate Injury of The Toe?

A plantar plate injury refers to damage to the strong supporting ligament of a toe, located on ball of foot.  The plantar plate is not an ordinary ligament as it’s a thick structure that provides significant stability to the toe.  Most commonly the second toe is involved, but any toe can be damaged.  Plantar plate injuries can be acute or chronic.

Causes & Symptoms of A Plantar Plate Injury

Patients can sustain an acute plantar plate injury where the ligament in torn or can develop a slow tear.

Acute Injury: Symptoms of acute injury to the toe can be pain and swelling depending on just how the injury occurred.   Injuries tend to occur from sudden and excessive upwards motion of the toe.  Sometime this can be an explosive injury or a small injury from excessive walking.   A tearing sensation can be felt in some people.  The toe can dislocate and ‘pop’ back into place.  Bruising is common with severe injuries.  A plantar plate tear can render the toe unstable, and if not treated develop into hammer toe problem.

Chronic Injury:  A chronic plantar plate injury is very different than an acute injury.  Here the plantar plate (ligament) will have micro-tears and stretch out over time.  A chronic injury can occur from a trauma where the initial plantar plate tear was undiagnosed – this is best considered a non-healing injury.  Alternatively, a chronic injury of the plantar plate may occur from biomechanical imbalance to the foot where repetitive stress causes repeat tearing.  Chronic (or nonhealing) plantar plate injury can develop into a hammer toe.  Pain is often present on the ball of the foot, and the toe may become severe deformed.

Diagnosis of Plantar Plate Tear

Diagnosing plantar plate injuries can be challenging for a variety of reasons, which will be outlined.  Acute injuries where there is obvious instability of the toe with pain located on the ball of the foot (directly) over the plantar plate are straightforward.  However, most injuries are subtle – whether acute or chronic.

There is a maneuver to test the integrity of the ligament, but is often unreliable.  This test is called a Lachman’s test, which is orthopedically known as a drawer test.  Here the toe is lifted superiorly to see if the joint can be manually dislocated.  Obvious cases are obvious, of course.  Mild and moderate displacement is a gray zone.

X rays have limited utility as ligaments can’t be visualized.  However, surgeons can ascertain information about the joint alignment which can suggest a plantar plate injury.  Toe dislocations are usually obvious (and uncommon) but are indicative of a plantar plate injury.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is very helpful with plantar plate injuries as its non-invasive and allows for direct visualization of plantar plate.  However, MRI is not perfect and small or mild tears can be missed or poorly identified – even by the most experienced.

Arthrogram is the best way to determine the integrity of the ligament structures (plantar plate) surrounding the joint.  The test is invasive, however.  A needle is inserted into the joint and radiographic dye is injected to see if any fluid leaks out.  An arthrogram will not indicate severity, only integrity.

Non-operative Treatments for Plantar Plate Injury

Non-surgical methods for plantar plate injuries are categorized into acute and chronic problems.  So long as significant toe deformity hasn’t occurred – which often happens with chronic problems.

Acute Injury

Acute plantar plate injuries should be evaluated by a foot surgeon to determine if surgery is indicated.  If not, the toe can be taped and splinted to allow the plantar plate to heal.  There is a specific type of taping for this injury and should be performed by an expert.  In some cases, casting and crutches are necessary for 6 to 8 weeks.

Chronic Injury

Chronic injury of the plantar plate is treated like hammer toes, and treatments are geared towards decreasing pain.  Treatment will not restore any malalignment of the digit (if present).

Simple treatments patients can do for CHRONIC plantar plate injuries are:

  • Wear supportive shoes
  • Use an arch support
  • Wear shoes with a wide toe box
  • Modify activities
  • Spot stretch shoes
  • Periodic callus care

Non-surgical treatments Dr. Delvadia, DPM may add:

  • Anti-inflammatory Medicines: Prescription strength medicines to decrease pain and inflammation.
  • Physical Therapy: To strengthen poorly functioning muscles and stretch tight muscles that may be exacerbating the toes. Special ultrasound techniques may reduce inflammation.
  • Custom Foot Orthotics: Dr. Delvadia, DPM creates an orthotic with an exact mold of your foot to better align and support the foot to ease current discomfort and prevent future progression.
  • Toe Splints or Pads: Specific pads may prevent pressure and physical irritation in shoes.  Toe splints and toe spacers physically realign the toes and can lessen pain and halt or stall hammer toe progression.
  • Plantar Plate Toe Taping: Taping the involved to in a basket weave fashion to
  • Injections: Cortisone injections are strong anti-inflammatory agents to decrease pain, and swelling directly at the toe region.  Injections only treat the symptoms, and in some cases used in caution (and sparingly) they can weaken supporting ligaments of the toe(s).Cited www.apma.org

    Seeking Treatment

    If you’ve been searching for podiatric surgeons for your foot and ankle needs, take time to meet with the Podiatry Group of Georgia. Our doctor has the experience and knowledge you need to help your feet and ankles feel their best. Give us a call today and set up an appointment for your initial consultation. Call us today !

    Call Our Marietta, Georgia Office Today at 404-806-3731 or Book your appointment online now!

    Proudly Serving Marietta and Atlanta Area!