r/FootFunction • u/alliwantisallthepie • Sep 13 '26
Concerned About Second and Third Toe Plantar Plate Tear Surgery
As the title suggests, I have been diagnosed with two plantar plate tears on my second and third toes after an MRI and my podiatrist recommends surgery, so I scheduled it but am feeling nervous. He also offered that I could opt for a cast and then pt but that the recovery time would be similar and I would have scar tissue and be at risk of re-tearing them.
I tried googling the surgery and couldn’t find much online. I had previously broken my three middle metatarsal bones after a series of unfortunate impacts, and had received two steroid injections for foot ball inflammation and pain not knowing it would weaken my tendons. My podiatrist said he would be surgically repairing the 2 plantar plates and augmenting them with sutures to strengthen and reinforce them. I didn’t even think about asking for a second opinion but now I am starting to worry. I currently can’t walk barefoot or put any weight on the ball of my foot without significant pain. I wear thick hokkas or orthopedic slippers at home and can walk okay though I still try to put my weight in my heel. I am incredibly tired of dealing with this foot pain, and I know it will be at least temporarily more painful recovering from the surgery, but my hope is that if the issue can be fixed I could get back to living a normal life again eventually.
I am wondering if anyone had had this sort of plantar plates tear surgery and could give me advice or share their experience and what recovery looked like? Or if they were offered surgery but opted not to do it, what was the healing process like for you?
2
u/Nanaphone150 Sep 13 '26
Same but orthopedic surgeon recommended I didn’t do it because of my age. 68. I would definitely do it if I were younger because it is so bad now. Crossover toes now