MR arthrography of the second and third metatarsophalangeal joints for the detection of tears of the plantar plate and joint capsule.

Objective: Tears of the plantar plate and joint capsule of the metatarsophalangeal joint are underrecognized causes of lesser metatarsalgia. This study evaluated MR arthrography for evaluation of this condition in 45 metatarsophalangeal joints in 41 patients.

Conclusions: Most metatarsophalangeal joint capsular tears occur at the distal lateral border of the plantar plate, often with injury of the adjacent interosseous tendon. Plantar plate tears are less common. MR arthrography of the metatarsophalangeal joint delineates capsular tears and associated abnormalities.