Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Weerakkody Y, Gaillard F, Knipe H, et al. Plantar plate tear. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 26 Feb 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-17837
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Frank Gaillard had the following disclosures:
- Biogen Australia Pty Ltd, Investigator-Initiated Research Grant for CAD software in multiple sclerosis: finished Oct 2021 (past)
These were assessed during peer review and were determined to
not be relevant to the changes that were made.
View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures
Plantar plate tears are disruptions of the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) plantar plate(s). They are essentially a form of metatarsophalangeal joint capsular tear, and most frequently occur at the distal lateral aspect of the plantar plate.
Plantar plate tears can be broadly divided into involving the hallux/great toe/first toe and termed turf toe or sand toe, or the lesser metatarsals/toes 2-5, and termed plantar plate tears 1,7.
The presentation can be acute or chronic and can be associated with other joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Patients may present with metatarsalgia and/or deformity in cases of full-thickness plantar plate tears.
In the lesser metatarsals, increased weight-bearing load and hyper-extension forces placed on the MTPJs by high-heeled, pointed shoes are thought to be possible predisposing factors.
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Ultrasound
MRI
Clinical differential considerations include:
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5. Gregg J, Silberstein M, Schneider T, Marks P. Sonographic and MRI Evaluation of the Plantar Plate: A Prospective Study. Eur Radiol. 2006;16(12):2661-9. doi:10.1007/s00330-006-0345-8 - Pubmed
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6. Kier R, Abrahamian H, Caminear D et al. MR Arthrography of the Second and Third Metatarsophalangeal Joints for the Detection of Tears of the Plantar Plate and Joint Capsule. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010;194(4):1079-81. doi:10.2214/AJR.09.3393 - Pubmed
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7. Palmer W, Bancroft L, Bonar F et al. Glossary of Terms for Musculoskeletal Radiology. Skeletal Radiol. 2020;49(Suppl 1):1-33. doi:10.1007/s00256-020-03465-1 - Pubmed
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8. Yamada A, Crema M, Nery C et al. Second and Third Metatarsophalangeal Plantar Plate Tears: Diagnostic Performance of Direct and Indirect MRI Features Using Surgical Findings as the Reference Standard. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2017;209(2):W100-8. doi:10.2214/ajr.16.17276 - Pubmed
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