There are 5 metatarsal bones in every foot. These bones are the long bones behind every toe. The metatarsal bone behind the massive toe is termed the primary metatarsal. The metatarsal bone behind the small toe is termed the fifth metatarsal.

The most common metatarsal surgery is performed on the primary metatarsal for the correction of puffiness deformity. The second commonest metatarsal surgery is on the fifth metatarsal for the correction of tailor's puffiness deformity. This text can address metatarsal surgery of the opposite metatarsals.

Surgery on the remaining metatarsal bones is performed sometimes. Once the surgery is performed on the second, third, or fourth metatarsal bones, it's typically for the treatment of painful callouses on rock bottom of the foot or for the treatment of non-healing ulcerations on the ball of the foot.

Patients with rheumatism might need surgery of the metatarsals that is mentioned in another section. Conjointly surgery of the metatarsals could also be necessary for instances of the trauma of the foot wherever the metatarsal bones might be broken.

Painful calluses on the ball of the foot are attributable to associate abnormal alignment of the metatarsal bones. If a metatarsal bone is not up to the others, excessive weight is placed on this space of the foot and a painful callous might be formed.

In folks with a polygenic disorder, these areas of excessive pressure might break down and kind open sores or ulcerations. Initial treatment typically comprises employing a useful or accommodative orthotic to cut back the pressure to those areas. If this is often not victorious, metatarsal surgery could also be thought of.

The Metatarsal Surgery

The surgery consists of cutting the metatarsal bone simply behind the toe. Generally, the bone is cut all through, and so manually elevated and control in its corrected position with a metal pin or screw.

Following the surgery, the patient could also be placed in an exceedingly forged or could also be needed to use crutches for many weeks. If a pin is employed to carry the bone in situ, it's typically removed in 3 to four weeks.

Removal of the pin may be done at the doctor's workplace. When the pin is in situ, the patient ought to keep the foot dry to stop infection. Typically, it takes a complete of six to eight weeks, or longer, for the bone to heal.

During this healing amount, the foot ought to be shielded from excessive weight bearing. Walking untimely on the foot will cause the bone to shift associated heal in an incorrect position. This is often the foremost common reason for failure with this surgery.

If the bone shifts downward, or isn't elevated enough at the time of surgery, the painful callus might come. If the bone is elevated an excessive amount of, a painful callus might kind underneath the metatarsal next to the one that was operated on.

Some surgeons will cut out the painful callus on rock bottom of the foot once they perform the metatarsal surgery. Seldom can a foot operating surgeon take away the painful callus while not conjointly activity the metatarsal surgery. While not correcting the metatarsal alignment, the painful callus is nearly sure to come.

Most surgeons favor doing the surgery in an associate patient surgery center or hospital. During this setting, intravenous sedation or anesthesia may be used for the patient's comfort.

At the conclusion of the surgery, the operating surgeon places cotton on the foot. Generally, the bandage stays in situ till the patient's initial follow up visit with the doctor. The skin stitches are removed in 10 to 14 days.

If there are stitches within the bottom of the foot, they will stay in situ for 3 weeks. The foot ought to be unbroken dry whereas the stitches and/or pin are in situ to assist forestalling infection.

Many surgeons can have the patients wear a below the knee forged and/or use crutches for 6 to eight weeks. Alternative surgeons can enable the patient to wear a stiff-soled post-operative shoe, and permit restricted walking on the foot.

Recovery Time

The time needed to be off work can vary with the stress of the person's job. A minimum 1 week off work would be recommended with the patient staying reception with the foot elevated on top of the guts.

Possible Complications associated with Metatarsal Surgery

Complications related to this surgery are: infection, failure of the bone to heal in its correct position leading to the core of the painful callous or transfer of the callous to a replacement location, delays or failure of bone healing, stress fractures of adjacent metatarsals, or excessive swelling. A standard prevalence following the surgery is elevation of the toe related to the elevated metatarsal bone that was operated on.