Do bunions cause plantar plate sprain in runners?

Perhaps the most nagging injury, and most difficult to deal with if you're a runner, is something called a "plantar plate sprain." 

The plantar plate ligament is on the bottom of the foot, usually at the base of the second toe. 

I got a question from a runner who actually had a plantar plate injury. She also happened to have bunions. So, she asked: 

"Do bunions cause plantar plate sprains in runners?" 

That's a great question and that's what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast.