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Pain under the ball of your foot, and a toe that is starting to drift

The pain sits right under the ball of your foot at the base of the second toe, and it is worse barefoot or in thin shoes. A plantar plate tear responds well to treatment, and the earlier it is picked up, the more options you have.

Medicare, NDIS, DVA and private health funds accepted.

A plantar plate tear is damage to the thick ligament that sits under the joint at the base of your toe, most often the second toe. That ligament holds the toe down against the ground and stops the joint spreading apart when you push off.

When it is strained or torn, the toe loses its anchor. You get pain and swelling under the ball of the foot, and over time the toe can lift or drift towards the big toe. Treatment focuses on taking load off the joint and holding the toe in a better position while the tissue settles.

Who does it affect?

adults over 40, runners, and people with a long second toe, a bunion or high-heeled shoe use.

How common is it?

a frequent cause of forefoot pain, and often mistaken for Morton's neuroma.

What is the recovery like?

varies from person to person, and depends on how much the toe has drifted.

Who should I see for treatment?

your podiatrist, with referral for imaging or a surgical opinion where it is needed.

What funding options are available?

Medicare, NDIS, DVA and private health funds accepted.

What is a plantar plate tear?

The plantar plate is a strong band of fibrous tissue under each of the small toe joints in the forefoot. It acts like a hammock, keeping the toe flat and absorbing pressure every time you push off.

Most tears are not a single dramatic injury. The tissue is loaded thousands of times a day, and small amounts of damage build up until it stretches, frays or splits. Pain usually comes first, and toe drift follows later.

Things that increase the load on the plantar plate include:

A second toe that is longer than your big toe, which forces it to take more push-off pressure.
A bunion, which shifts weight sideways onto the second and third toe joints.
High heels and thin, flexible shoes, which hold the toes in an extended position.
A sudden rise in running, walking, court sport or standing hours.

Not sure whether the pain is coming from the joint, a nerve or the bone? Our foot pain (https://onepointhealth.com.au/treatments/foot-pain/) assessment works out which structure is involved before anyone starts treating it.

Symptoms of Plantar plate tear

Pain under the ball of the foot, usually at the base of the second toe.

A feeling of walking on a pebble, or of your sock bunching under the joint.

Swelling on the top and underside of the joint.

Pain that is worse barefoot, in thin shoes or when pushing off.

Aching that lingers after activity rather than easing straight away.

Tenderness when you press directly under the joint, not between the toes.

Your plan comes out of the assessment, not off a shelf

Toe taping and strapping

holds the toe down in a corrected position so the damaged tissue is not pulled apart with every step.

Metatarsal domes and offloading padding

shifts pressure back off the painful joint and onto the shaft of the metatarsal bone.

Custom orthotics

built with a forefoot extension or cut-out to reduce load through the joint while you walk and run.

Footwear change

stiffer soles and a deeper toe box limit how far the toe bends at push-off, which is when the plate is loaded most.

Load management and strengthening

adjusts your activity, then rebuilds strength in the small muscles that support the toe.

Imaging and referral

ultrasound or MRI where the diagnosis is unclear, and a surgical opinion if the toe has dislocated or conservative care has plateaued.

What to expect at your first appointment

Tell us what is going on

How the pain started, where it sits, what makes it worse, and whether the toe has changed position.

A full assessment

Your podiatrist tests joint stability, checks toe alignment and watches how you load the forefoot when you walk.

A clear plan

You leave knowing what is damaged, what needs to change first, and what treatment we are starting today.

Review and adjust

We recheck toe position and pain response, then progress or change the plan based on what we find.

When to book an appointment

Book an assessment if:

Pain under the ball of your foot has lasted more than three weeks.
You are cutting back walking, running or sport because of it.
Rest, gel pads and softer shoes have not settled it.
You are not sure whether it is a joint, nerve or bone problem.

Looking after your lower back at home

These strategies suit most people with recent, uncomplicated back pain, and work alongside treatment rather than replacing it.

A second toe that is longer than your big toe, which forces it to take more push-off pressure.
A bunion, which shifts weight sideways onto the second and third toe joints.
High heels and thin, flexible shoes, which hold the toes in an extended position.
A sudden rise in running, walking, court sport or standing hours.

Meet the team who treat this

Behind every appointment is a team of practitioners who know each other, trust each other and work together for you. Across seven clinics and nine disciplines, our team shares expertise, coordinates treatment plans and celebrates your progress together.

Meet the full team

All Services

Abijith Anand

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Aimee Fuller

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Alicia Whiticker

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Amanda Banks

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Amanda Duggan

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Amy Meekings

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Anita Beerapu

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Benjamin Tucker

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Blake Ciscato

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Blake Cossor

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Bronte Tupper

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Callum Thorpe

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Carin Bloom

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Charli Haddow

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Chris Farrugia

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Chris Moulds

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Ciara O’Kane

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Claudia Thomas

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Corrina Aitken

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

David Logue

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Dean Gresser

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Emma Nassif

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Emma Scanlon

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Erin Burns

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Esha Sharma

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Ester Iskandar

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Evangelina Papalia

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Fatima Hussaini

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Felicity Spencer-Davey

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Frankie Raikadroka

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Hannah Norrie

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Harrison Gregson

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Heather Edwards

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Isaac Vella

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Jarrah Nesbitt

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Jasmine Apap

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Jessica Orchard

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Jonathan Lopez

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Justin Hanna

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Kasey Collins

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Katrina Gauci

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Kennedy Touet

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Kristy Edwards

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Kurt White

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Kyle Perry

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Kylie Saba

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Lorna Nicastri

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Lucas Barglik

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Mackenzie Gleeson

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Madeleine Vella

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Maja Bosic

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Marxy Koronel

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Matt Barton

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Mia Nikic

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Michael Todd

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Mr Jeffery Jenkins FACPS

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Nathan Cavanagh

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Oren Schulze

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Patience Namiiro

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Patrick Celeban

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Paul Sawaqed

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Phillip Hartshorne

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Praise Khin

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Rebecca Samuels

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Rianna Nicotera

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Sarah Bonnici

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Sarah Fenter

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Shannon Smith

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Shara Percival

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Sherie Casson

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Siobhan Kelly

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Summer Watson

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Taleisha Bozzi

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Tori McLean

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Trystan Singh

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Uty Kotwal

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Veronica Theiss

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Yoni Hochberg

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Zak Lloyd

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

Zane Awik

Healthcare Support Officer

Available at Blaxland

EPC, DVA, NDIS and WorkCover welcome

Nearly half of our appointments are funded through Medicare, DVA, NDIS or WorkCover. We manage the paperwork so you can focus on your health.

Medicare (EPC)

Your GP can refer you for up to five Medicare-rebated allied health sessions per calendar year. We accept EPC referrals for podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics and psychology.

Learn more

NDIS

We are a registered NDIS provider across podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics and psychology. We work directly with your plan manager and provide clear progress reporting.

Learn more

Medicare (EPC)

Your GP can refer you for up to five Medicare-rebated allied health sessions per calendar year. We accept EPC referrals for podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics and psychology.

Learn more

Medicare (EPC)

Your GP can refer you for up to five Medicare-rebated allied health sessions per calendar year. We accept EPC referrals for podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics and psychology.

Learn more

Made by us. Stocked by us. Worn by you

Great care is not just what happens in your appointment. It is what supports you in the thousands of steps you take between visits. Our footwear store and orthotics lab are both part of the OnePointHealth team, designed to keep your treatment working long after you have walked out the door.

Shoes our podiatrists wear and recommend

Footwear shapes how you move, how you recover and how comfortable you feel at the end of the day. Our podiatry team chooses the range stocked at our footwear store, which means the shoes on the shelf are the ones we genuinely recommend to our patients.

Selected and reviewed by our podiatry team
Fitted in person with biomechanical advice on hand
Refreshed each season to reflect what is working for our patients

Custom orthotics, made by our own team

Every pair of orthotics we prescribe is designed by your podiatrist and made by our own manufacturing team. That means shorter turnaround times, a clearer point of contact, and a podiatrist who can adjust your orthotics directly if anything needs refining over time.

Designed by your podiatrist, made by our manufacturing team
Used to support recovery from heel pain, sports injuries, gait concerns and foot complications related to diabetes
Reviewed and adjusted by the same practitioner as your needs change

Seven clinics across three regions

Find a clinic near you. Each location is staffed by local practitioners who know your community.

Penrith

Western Sydney

Our largest centre, with our full range of services under one roof.

510/536 High St, Penrith NSW 2750

TBD

Ropes Crossing

Western Sydney

Podiatry, at Ropes Crossing Village.

1B/2 Central Pl, Ropes Crossing NSW 2760

TBD

Blaxland

Western Sydney

Podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology and group classes.

10 Layton Ave, Blaxland NSW 2774

TBD

Springwood

Western Sydney

Podiatry, dietetics and a boutique footwear store.

20 Ferguson Road, Springwood NSW 2777

TBD

Katoomba

Western Sydney

Podiatry, physiotherapy, dietetics and psychology, in a restored 1914 cottage.

69 Megalong Street, Katoomba NSW 2780

TBD

Ryde

Western Sydney

Podiatry, physiotherapy, dietetics, exercise physiology and psychology, with a footwear store and gait analysis.

819 Victoria Road, corner of Shepherd Street, Ryde NSW 2112

TBD

Lindfield

Western Sydney

Podiatry, with mobile podiatry across the North Shore and Northern Beaches.

2/324 Pacific Highway, Lindfield NSW 2070

TBD

Ready to sort out that pain under the ball of your foot?

Book a podiatry assessment and find out exactly what is going on in that toe joint.

Frequently asked questions

What does a podiatrist do?

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