Plantar Plate Rupture Surgery: Recovery & What to Expect

Plantar plate tear is a foot condition that usually responds to conservative treatments. However, chronic tearing and damage can result to the plantar plate's rupture which may require corrective surgery.

Plantar Plate

• Plantar plate is the ligament between the base of your toe and the metatarsal or bone behind the joint. It functions to keep your toe in and from elevating out of the joint.

Plantar Plate Rupture

• This ligament can tear or become overstretched which causes pain and deformity to your toe. This can also lead to your toe's dislocation. Chronic plantar plate tear can lead to rupture due to a specific injury to the toe and the joint, or prolonged overuse.

Surgery

• Surgery correction might be necessary in chronic cases. This surgical procedure to reconstruct the torn plantar plate involves tightening the ligament and realigning and stabilizing the toe into the joint.

Post-Operation

• Postoperative management will vary for every patient and depend upon the procedures that clinicians perform. Some patients will need to use a night splint for about six to eight weeks.

Recovery

• Plantar plate rupture surgery is simple and immediate recovery is expected. Typically, a protective boot is worn for five to six weeks of healing period. With proper care, you should be able to return to full activity after recovery.

Activities

• Patients of plantar plate rupture surgery should refrain from engaging in certain physical activities that will create extreme dorsiflexion (upward bend of the foot.) These activities include walking uphill, walking on wet sand and squatting to perform gardening.