Foot Stress Fractures Treated with a Carbon Rigid Stabilizer Plate Insole

Metatarsal foot stress fractures are a common and painful foot condition. These stress fractures are easily treated with carbon rigid stabilizer plate insoles. Doctors usually treat metatarsal stress fractures with a Cam Walker splint, walking cast or an open toe surgery shoe. Some patients are unable to use the Cam Walker or surgery shoe. They are heavy and hard to get used to. Patients would prefer wearing their own shoes. For example, many patients are unable to drive a car wearing a cast. An alternative is to place a rigid plate in the existing shoe. This will all the fracture to be stabilized. A carbon rigid stabilizer plate insole is placed in the patient's shoe. Carbon rigid plates will limit range of motion of the metatarsal to speed healing of the stress fracture.

A carbon stabilizer rigid plate insole is manufactured from medical grade carbon fiber. They are extremely thin, only 2 mm thick. The carbon fiber is rigid. The carbon rigid plate insole is placed in the patient's casual/gym shoe, usually under the shoe's insole. They are not designed for dress shoes. For proper placement, the shoe’s existing insole should be removed or the rigid plate placed under the shoe's insole. This all depends on the shoe’s fit and comfort level. Atlas Biomechanics produces our carbon rigid plates as a pair. The patient can use the rigid insole in more than one shoe.

To treat a metatarsal foot stress fractures, the forefoot should be immobile. A carbon stabilizer rigid plate insole is designed to stiffen the shoe. This allows the toe or stress foot fracture to be immobile and allow healing. It reduces the range of motion of the forefoot. It also limits the dorsiflexion of the metatarsal joint which prevents the toe range of motion. The more limiting range of motion in the foot, the faster the healing time of the fracture.

Atlas Biomechanics manufacturers three types of rigid stabilizer plate insoles.

Full Length Spring Steel Stabilizer

Half Length Spring Steel Stabilizer

Carbon Stabilizer Rigid Plate



Steel or carbon stabilizer plate insoles treat stress and toe fractures.



Teri Green

Atlas Biomechanics

About Atlas Biomechanics: We are a woman owned sports medical manufacturer of Foot Pads, Heel Lifts, Stabilizer Plates and Heat Moldable Orthotics.