Clinical Tests for Plantar Plate Tears This video descibes four tests that can be used in the clinical setting to help diagnose plantar plate tears. The Dorsal Drawer Test, first described by Thompson and Hamilton in 1987, involves manually trying to dorsally dislocate the base of the proximal phalanx of the affected digit relative to the metatarsal head. More than 2 mm of dorsal dislocation of the proximal phalanx base relative to the metatarsal head indicates a positive Dorsal Drawer Test (Tho