Can a Plantar Plate Tear Heal on Its Own?
Are you asking yourself can a plantar plate tear heal on its own? This is a good question to ask, but the truth of the matter is that it can heal on its own after you get proper rest and treatment. The key to doing this is to make sure you have adequate rest. There is a timeline for healing different injuries to the foot, ankle, or lower leg, but if you don’t get the rest you need the timeline can be more severe. It all depends on where the injury is, how it is injured, how long it takes to heal, and other factors.
Plantar plate tears are caused when the normal ligament that connects your big toe and the metatarsal bones of the foot gets damaged and micro tears form. When this happens you will notice the big toe has moved towards the second toe on your right foot or vice versa depending on which foot the injury is on. You may find your foot feels funny. Many athletes find that their metatarsals become raised towards the sky.
The reason a plantar plate can heal on its own is due to the healing process taking place at the normal joint angles. You may have to help promote those proper joint angles and positions. If you have a normal pain-free recovery then there is no need to consult a podiatrist or orthopedist to start the treatment of the ball of your foot. If the pain is more severe, you should consult with a specialist who will recommend a treatment plan.
The plantar plate protects the bottom of the foot and the ball of the foot. The plantar plate complex encompasses the ligaments that run over the ball of the foot and the fat pads on the balls of your feet. These absorb the apex forces when your foot is pushing off the ground. If the plantar plate region absorbs too much force it can rupture or tear.
The first step in the treatment of a ruptured MTP joint is to reduce all pressure and take away any weight that is placing pressure on the joint. Your doctor will most likely prescribe a nonsurgical treatment option for your condition, such as a walking boot. The first treatment option should include the use of an ice pack on the injured area to decrease inflammation. A steroid injection may also be recommended for this type of injury but should be warded off until absolutely necessary as cortisone can break down ligament integrity. Resting the injured foot is usually required as this increases the chance of developing new healthy ligament in the injured area.
Treatment for plantar plate tears may include the use of a splint to keep the foot in a down, plantar-flexed position during the healing process. If the injury does not respond well to nonsurgical treatment, the next treatment option is to go to see a podiatrist or foot specialist. A doctor may decide that the best treatment is to retain your foot and use cast shoes to support your feet. This helps you maintain a normal foot function. A final treatment option is surgery.
Surgery can help mend a plantar plate tear if the damage is caused by a large number of tears in the top joint. In this case, the doctor can repair each separate tear and replace it with a new piece of metal and cover the area with a cast. Surgical stitches are placed near the area of the tear to help protect the tissue. Depending on the severity of your injury, you can get your foot back in as little as one week.
Can a plantar plate heal on its own? The answer is yes, if you follow a long term plan, tape your toes, and reduce the weight from the ball of the foot region. If you have a fracture, broken bones, or grade 3 plantar plate tear on the injured foot, surgery may be your only option. A foot specialist will be able to assess your condition and determine if surgery is the best option for repairing your foot ankle joint.