The Best Articles and Resources on Plantar Plate Tears

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There are more and more plantar plate resources popping up on the google search pages. Frustratingly 95% of these are info guide created by surgery clinics. They will have a few brief and vague paragraphs and end their small write-up with an invitation to call and set up and consolation for surgery, which is usually not necessary. The rest of these small info guides are set up by podiatry docs and foot clinics. Almost none of these little articles provide and value or insight. I have tried to assemble the best resources available on the internet that provide real wisdom, applicable knowledge, and value.

https://www.podiatrytoday.com/expert-insights-treating-plantar-plate-tears

https://www.podiatrytoday.com/understanding-biomechanics-plantar-plate-injuries

Two articles from Podiatry Today. A credible scientific resource. Much more of a deep technical and scientific look. You probably won’t find something actionable, or advice that is going to heal your Plantar Plate injury faster. You will, however, learn a ton about the plantar plate area.

https://www.sdri.net/injuries/lower-body-injuries/plantar-plate-sprains/

San Diego Run Institute- Has some good thoughts and explains several different treatment options.

Plantar Plate injury, assessment and management – by Nick Knight
In my top 3 posts on this subject. Good graphics, informative. Could go more in depth and doesn’t provide much value in the world of treatment. Still a great overall post.
Plantar Plate Sprain in Runners
Dr. Christopher Segler has created one of the most informative posts on plantar plate injuries. He also has a podcast that is essentially a distillation of the post. He has tons of great insight and scientific information on the healing process of this specific injury. He also has a course he sells. It is better than 99% of doctor’s visits. If you were only to read one article on Plantar Plate injuries, I would probably point you here. Dr. Segler also schedules virtual appointments.

http://joyfulmiles.com/partial-plantar-plate-tear/

Not a medical source, but a blog from a woman impacted by a plantar plate tear. I found this to be very interesting for a few reasons. 1. She’s a middle-aged woman, and that happens to be the main group that suffers from damaged plantar plates. 2. She seems to really struggle finding responsive medical care that is super informative on this issue, which happens to the vast majority of people with this ailment. Good read.

Plantar plate repairs & the pre-dislocation syndrome: what the f$@% (Part 1)

Last linked blog is the Angry Orthopod. I found him incredible interesting and he breaks down extremely well while highlighting the extreme importance of calf stretching. Personally I don’t think calf stretching alone will save you but adding in his stretching protocol will help you a ton in the future. The stretching will not only help prevent future plantar plate injuries but your overall gait and foot and ankle health will see improvements. I think adding a lot of the things I talk about on this site to your recovery is just as important though. Great read though!

And of course if you go to my own posts, I think the resources there are better than anything else!