Fracture Fixation Surgery

Fracture fixation surgery is used to stabilize and repair broken bones in the foot or ankle when they cannot heal properly on their own. The goal of the metatarsal fracture fixation procedure is to correct a break in one or more of the long bones of the foot, called the metatarsals—structures similar to the metacarpal bones in the hand. Because these bones support your body weight, restoring alignment is essential for normal walking and long-term function.
Certain injuries, like a Jones fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal, often require surgical fixation due to poor blood supply and a higher risk of slow healing. In these cases, a screw or specialized implant is used to secure the bone and promote faster, more predictable recovery.

Depending on your specific injury—whether a toe, midfoot, heel, or ankle fracture—your surgeon may use screws, plates, or minimally invasive techniques to hold the bones in place. The goal is consistent: to stabilize the fracture, restore proper function, and help you return to comfortable movement as safely and efficiently as possible.

During this procedure, the foot and ankle surgeon will stabilize the bones using implanted hardware to facilitate proper healing.

To prepare for the surgery, the patient is taken to an outpatient surgical center. Under anesthesia, the surgeon will create one or more incisions on the outside or top of the foot to access the fractured metatarsals.

Next, the surgeon will realign the bones and stabilize the fractures using screws and other hardware. The surgeon has a choice of various screws, rigid plates, or wires. Depending on the specific fracture, the surgeon may use one or two plates with several screws in each to address multiple fractures within the metatarsals.

After the procedure is completed, the incisions will be closed, and the foot will be bandaged appropriately and placed in a splint. It is strongly recommended that the patient avoid bearing weight on the foot for about six to eight weeks. A walking brace or boot may be necessary until the fractures are fully healed

A fracture doesn’t have to keep you sidelined. If you’re experiencing persistent pain, difficulty walking, or a fracture that isn’t healing as expected, our expert foot and ankle surgeons are here to help.