A plantar plate tear is a reasonably prevalent problem that produces pain plantar to the ball of the foot. It is the final stage of a strain on the ligament plantar to joint which continues to a tear if there is no treatment done. The reason behind this disorder is simply overuse. In the event that ligament under the joint get used an excessive amount with high activity amounts, then it will at first become painful and then progress to a tear. The signs and symptoms are generally beneath and in front of the metatarsal head underneath the ball of the foot. They are made worse with increased amounts of exercise.
The best way to start treating a plantar plate tear is to use strapping to hold the toe in a plantarflexed placement so the stress is removed from the ligament which is given an opportunity to get better. It can be a bit bothersome to keep taping the foot everyday which may take many months to fully heal. Because of this, there are a number of different kinds of braces that can be used. They might be not really as effective as the strapping, but they will be more than effective if strapping is needed during the early stages. This will likely really need to be kept up for a few months to have a good outcome. Orthotics in the footwear with metatarsal pads may also be used to help secure the toe down. If weightbearing is very painful, then pads on the insole may be used to keep weight of the painful spot and at least that can make it tolerable while healing takes place. Most of the time this can help. Sometimes some anti-inflammatory medications and also the use of ice may be needed if it gets too painful may be required. When this strategy doesn't work, then surgical treatments really need to be considered to fix the tear, but a majority of instances of a plantar plate tear do heal on their own.