Restoring Metatarsophalangeal Joint Alignment & Relieving Ball-of-Foot Pain in Financial District
The plantar plate is a dense fibrocartilaginous band under the ball of the foot that stabilizes the lesser toes. When torn, patients experience severe forefoot pain, swelling, and classic "crossover toe" drifting.
When conservative measures fail to stabilize the joint capsule, direct surgical repair reattaches the torn plantar plate ligament to the base of the toe phalanx. At Manhattan Podiatry Group, Dr. Mark Sharobeem, DPM, performs advanced anatomical plantar plate repairs (often paired with metatarsal decompression) to align toes and eliminate metatarsalgia.
Directly repairs and reanchors internal ligament damage beneath the metatarsal head to permanently correct toe deformity, restore propulsive walking balance, and eliminate ball-of-foot pressure.
Second MTP joint plantar plate tears, crossover toes, chronic forefoot instability.
Dorsal or plantar surgical approach, suture anchor reattachment, optional Weil osteotomy.
Outpatient surgical procedure (approx. 45–60 mins) under twilight IV sedation.
4 weeks in a stiff surgical shoe; return to supportive sneakers in 6 to 8 weeks.
MRI scans and clinical drawer testing accurately map the location and severity of the plantar plate tear beneath the metatarsal head.
The torn ligament is exposed and securely reanchored to bone using specialized high-strength suture constructs to restore joint alignment.
Post-operative care utilizes a specialized rigid post-op shoe and toe taping to protect the delicate repair while collagen fibers heal.
Plantar plate tears are usually caused by chronic hyperextension of the toe joint, high-impact athletic pivoting, structural bunions, or abnormal biomechanical foot pressure.
Mild, partial tears can sometimes be managed conservatively with custom orthotics, metatarsal pads, taping, and rigid-soled shoes. Complete structural tears with crossover toe deformity require surgical repair.
Patients typically wear a specialized surgical shoe or post-op boot for about 4 weeks to protect the repaired ligament before transitioning back to comfortable athletic shoes.
Yes. By reanchoring the ligament and realigning the joint capsule, the procedure permanently corrects the drifting "crossover toe" deformity and restores proper ground contact.
Dr. Mark Sharobeem, DPM, provides targeted conservative and surgical care at our Financial District practice. Click any condition below to learn more about symptoms and treatment pathways.
Request a consultation with Dr. Mark Sharobeem, DPM, at 55 Broadway, Suite 602.
New York, NY 10006.