Plantar plate tear refers to a tear in the soft tissue structure of the ball of the foot. Th is article discusses treatment of plantar plate tears with metatarsal pads.

Treatment of plantar plate tears

OK, so you talk about plantar plate tears and in walks a plantar plate tear to my office today.  This fellow was a 70 y/o male who is retired but very active.  His primary concern wasn't today but what is going to happen in 5-10 years if left untreated. He currently runs 3 miles a day and is planning a major hiking trip this summer.

Clinically my patient showed a rigid hammer toe 3 left and a very prominent ball of the foot.  He described no pain with the onset of this change but noted that the change in the position of his toe happened fairly abruptly some 2.5 to 3 years ago.  The 3rd toe was deviated in the sagital plane (toe moving toward the shin) and the transverse plane (3rd toe deviated towards the 5th toe).  X-rays showed complete dislocation of the metatarsal phalangeal joint.

So what to do?  With a plantar plate tear and complete subluxation that had been present for over two years, I gave my patient a 75% success rate with surgery.  Combine that with the fact that he's relatively pain-free, I think you can see what needs to be done.  At this stage, nothing.  The patient's primary location of pain was on the bottom of the foot.  He had tried Rx orthotics with little change in his symptoms.

We watched the video on placement of metatarsal pads and I sent him on his way.  For the short term, he's doing ok.  Let's just keep it that way.

Jeff

Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM
Medical Advisor
Myfootshop.com

Updated 4/30/2021

Helpful Products

Metatarsal Pad - Felt

The Metatarsal Pad - Felt is a dense, adhesive-backed felt foot pad designed with a skived cut edge for relief from metatarsal and ball-of-foot pain, Morton's neuroma, metatarsalgia, forefoot calluses, sesamoiditis, and more. One size. By Myfootshop.com. 8/pkg.

As low as $11.01!

Metatarsal Pad - Foam

Metatarsal Pads - Foam are adhesive-backed pads that ease ball-of-foot and forefoot pain, sesamoiditis, metatarsalgia, and the numbness, tingling and burning associated with Morton's neuroma. Contains Latex. One size. By Myfootshop.com. 8/pkg.

As low as $11.01!

Arch Binder with Metatarsal Pad

The Arch Binder with Metatarsal Pad is an elastic forefoot compression sleeve worn around the arch, relieving forefoot, arch, and metatarsal pain. The additional support pad also eases Morton's neuroma, capsulitis, and metatarsalgia. By PediFix. Universal right/left. 1/pkg.

As low as $16.10!

Metatarsal Bar PPT Cushions

Metatarsal Bar PPT Cushions pad the bones in the ball of the foot, relieving Morton's neuroma pain and other conditions of the forefoot. Self-adhesive. Fits in most shoes. Right/left specific. By Myfootshop.com. 1 pair/pkg.

As low as $8.46!

Metatarsal Cushion - Gel

The Metatarsal Cushion - Gel is a soft, reusable pad with a built-in toe loop for relief of metatarsalgia and forefoot pain caused by loss of the fat pad in the ball of the foot. Right/left specific. Two sizes. By Myfootshop.com. 1/pkg.

As low as $7.61!

Metatarsal Cushion with Toe Loop - Foam

The Metatarsal Cushion with Toe Loop - Foam is a soft, reusable met pad designed for ball-of-foot and forefoot pain relief. The loop slides over your toe of choice for perfect placement. Fits in most shoes. Universal right/left. By Myfootshop.com. 2/pkg.

As low as $4.21!