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Plantar metatarsal ligaments

The plantar metatarsal ligaments are a group of strong fibrous bands located on the plantar aspect of the foot, connecting the adjacent bases of the metatarsal bones. They play a key role in stabilizing the metatarsal bases and maintaining the integrity of the transverse and longitudinal arches of the foot during weight-bearing and locomotion.

These ligaments are thicker and stronger than the dorsal metatarsal ligaments and form an integral part of the plantar tarsometatarsal ligament complex. Together with the interosseous metatarsal ligaments, they prevent excessive separation or splaying of the metatarsal bones.

Synonyms

  • Plantar intermetatarsal ligaments

  • Plantar transverse metatarsal ligaments

Origin, Course, and Insertion

Origin:
Arise from the plantar surfaces of the metatarsal bases and the adjacent tarsal bones (especially the cuboid and cuneiforms).

Course:
Run obliquely and transversely across the plantar surface of the foot, interconnecting the bases of adjacent metatarsals.

Insertion:
Attach to the plantar aspect of neighboring metatarsal bases, blending with the capsules of the tarsometatarsal and intermetatarsal joints.

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Normal: Low signal intensity (thin dark linear bands connecting metatarsal bases).

  • Injured: Intermediate-to-high signal with indistinct margins or discontinuity.

  • Adjacent fat: Bright on T1, helps delineate ligament contours.

T2-weighted images:

  • Normal: Low signal (dark bands).

  • Sprain or strain: Hyperintense linear signal, fiber thickening or partial tear.

  • Complete tear: Disrupted continuity with fluid-bright signal and adjacent bone marrow edema.

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Normal: Hypointense linear structures.

  • Pathologic: Bright hyperintensity indicating edema or inflammatory change.

Proton Density Fat-Saturated (PD FS):

  • Normal: Thin dark continuous bands between metatarsal bases.

  • Pathology: Linear hyperintensity and periligamentous edema.

T1 Fat-Sat Post-Contrast:

  • Normal: No enhancement.

  • Abnormal: Enhancement of ligament margins and adjacent soft tissue due to inflammation or granulation tissue.

CT Appearance

Non-Contrast CT:

  • Ligaments appear as thin soft-tissue density bands bridging adjacent metatarsal bases.

  • Indirect signs of injury: Joint space widening, subtle subluxation, or cortical irregularity.

  • Chronic findings: Calcification or ossification in degenerative or post-traumatic states.

Post-Contrast CT:

  • Mild enhancement in inflammation or postoperative scarring.

  • Useful for detecting alignment, avulsion fractures, and osseous remodeling secondary to ligament injury.

MRI images

Plantar metatarsal ligaments coronal cross sectional anatomy 3T MRI AI enhanced radiology image-img-00000-00000

MRI images

Plantar metatarsal ligaments coronal cross sectional anatomy 3T MRI AI enhanced radiology image-img-00000-00000_00001

MRI images

Plantar metatarsal ligaments coronal cross sectional anatomy 3T MRI AI enhanced radiology image-img-00000-00000_00002