A plantar plate tear is a reasonably prevalent problem that produces pain under the ball of the foot. It is considered the last stage of a stress on the ligament plantar to joint that progresses to a tear when there is no treatment used. The cause of this disorder is simply too much use. If that ligament beneath the joint get used too much with high exercise amounts, then it will to begin with become painful and then progress to a tear. The symptoms are usually underneath and in front of the metatarsal head beneath the ball of the foot. They are worsened with higher amounts of exercise.

A sensible way to deal with a plantar plate tear is to use strapping to hold the toe in a plantarflexed position and so the tension is removed from the ligament which is given a chance to get better. It is definitely a bit bothersome to keep strapping the toe each day which may take months to fully recover. For that reason, there are a variety of different types of braces which you can use. They are often not quite as good as the taping, but they could be more than effective if strapping is used during the early stages. This might ought to be kept up for a few months to have a good result. Orthotics in the shoes with metatarsal domes may also be used to help secure the toe plantarflexed. If weightbearing is very painful, then pads on the insole may be used to keep weight of the painful spot and at least that will make it bearable while healing is taking place. In most cases this helps. Occasionally some anti-inflammatory medicines and the use of ice may be needed when it gets too painful may be needed. If this approach doesn't work, then surgical interventions needs to be considered to repair the tear, but most cases of a plantar plate tear do heal on their own.