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.
Repetitive pressure on the ball of the foot from high heels, a long second metatarsal bone, or chronic biomechanical overload can stretch and eventually tear this stabilizing ligament structure.
Partial tears and early-stage inflammation may improve with custom orthotics, stiff-soled shoes, and toe taping. Complete tears causing crossover toe deformities usually require surgical repair to permanently stabilize the joint.
Patients typically wear a specialized stiff surgical shoe or boot for 3 to 4 weeks, transitioning into comfortable wide-toe sneakers around weeks 6 to 8.
Yes. Direct anatomical repair restores the downward tethering force of the ligament, holding the toe firmly in alignment against the ground and preventing upward or sideways drifting.
Request a consultation with Dr. Mark Sharobeem, DPM, at 55 Broadway, Suite 602, New York, NY 10006.