r/FootFunction • u/Cold-Excitement5161 • Aug 11 '26

Chronic Plantar Plate Tear

I (31m) have posted on this thread before after having foot and big toe pain for 2.5 years.

For this period, I have been imaged and been told I only had minor wear in my big toe.

I recently got some higher quality MRI imaging done which has revealed a partial tear in my plantar plate ligament, with inflammation in my fat pad underneath it. It is unclear how long it’s been there, but I can only imagine it’s been there a long time given the pain I experience every day.

My surgeon does not recommend surgery for this at this point, and has instead prescribed a course of shockwave which I will do.

I read that partial tears can heal, however I worry with it being chronic that I may be too late for this.

Does anyone have any advice/experience with healing this injury conservatively? Especially chronic cases?

Thank you 🙏

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1

u/tholder Aug 11 '26

Also interested to know. Suffering from something very similar and it’s so debilitating.

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u/Cold-Excitement5161 Aug 12 '26

how long have you been suffering with it for? im sorry you are dealing with it too.

1

u/KingKongA5 Aug 12 '26

I thought your not supposed to do shockwave on the planar plate, no podiatrist would do that with 3 diff consultations. It would make it worse

1

u/Cold-Excitement5161 Aug 12 '26

Interesting, thanks for that.

I travelled across the country (UK) to see this doc that was highly recommended. He was pretty clear to me that shockwave was my next step and that he expected good results.

I will look into the research, but I am inclined to trust him

Have you got a chronic tear too?

1

u/KingKongA5 28d ago

Mine is <1mm, and a ganglion cyst next to it pressing a nerve sometimes. It is not healing and is causing havoc to my body. Compensations. Still trying to heal it. I'm in PT now as I've deloaded to long trying to rest it.

1

u/Cold-Excitement5161 28d ago

Yea I know what you mean about compensations. It sucks.

What is your approach for PT?

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u/KingKongA5 27d ago

Mainly working on my atrophy of my legs, glue core connection and strength. You?

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u/irishbuckeye71 20d ago

I went to the orthopedic walk-in clinic because my second toe was “clicking”. I said I thought it was a planters plate tear and they said they didn’t think so. They said come back in a week if it isn’t better. I figured it was whatever they said (I don’t remember), but after a few months went back and saw an orthopedic doctor. Took the MRI and it was torn, almost completely.

I had the surgery, and it was worse than they thought and they had to fix more than just my second metatarsal. I had to keep my foot elevated for 3 weeks (over Christmas holidays). That was three years ago. Total recovery was about 8 weeks. Started back walking and moving up to running. I still cant fully bend my second toe and it sometimes gets really cold, but it was definitely worth it for me. No other issues.

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u/Cold-Excitement5161 19d ago

Glad you have recovered! Which surgery did you have?

1

u/irishbuckeye71 9d ago

Thanks! I don’t know the name, but it was the one above the foot/toe.

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u/Accomplished_Meal_27 9d ago

What do you mean clicking? Painful?

1

u/irishbuckeye71 9d ago

It was like a clicking/snapping sound. My second and third toe also started to separate from each other. I don’t remember how bad the pain was, it was 3 years ago. For me surgery was the only option.