Metatarsal Surgery Toronto

Pain in the ball of your foot, difficulty with shoes, or ongoing pressure that isn’t improving? Metatarsal surgery may help restore alignment and relieve discomfort when conservative care is no longer enough.

Forefoot Pain

Pain in the ball of your foot can make walking, standing, and wearing shoes uncomfortable. Whether caused by pressure, misalignment, or structural differences in the bones, metatarsal conditions can progressively affect your mobility and daily comfort.

At Step Right Foot Clinic, we assess the underlying cause of your symptoms and guide you through treatment options designed to reduce metatarsalgia pain, improve alignment, and restore function. When conservative care is no longer effective, surgical options may be considered to address the root of the problem.

Metatarsal Surgery Options

When non-surgical treatments are no longer providing relief, surgery may be recommended to improve comfort and function. If surgical treatment is appropriate, we will guide you through the next steps and refer you to a trusted podiatrist with experience in forefoot procedures. We work closely with our referral network to ensure you receive timely, appropriate care.

Our team remains involved throughout the process, helping coordinate your care and providing ongoing support both before and after your surgical consultation.

Brachymetatarsia Correction

Brachymetatarsia is a congenital condition that causes shortening of the toe, most commonly the fourth toe. The metatarsal bone to which the toe attaches is short, and it often occurs on both feet. The correction procedure aims to lengthen the shortened metatarsal bone to improve weight distribution and overall foot balance. Depending on the case, correction may be done either by acute lengthening through a single surgery using a bone graft, or by gradual lengthening using an external fixator device over several weeks or months.

Recovery time after brachymetatarsia correction depends on the amount of lengthening required and the procedure performed. Acute lengthening usually takes about 3 months to heal. Patients are recommended to fully bear weight on the foot after the first 6-8 weeks of being in an offloading boot. The graft will disintegrate within 8-16 weeks. Gradual lengthening can take 4-6 months depending on the desired length, however patients can walk with special footwear.

Metatarsal Osteotomy

An osteotomy involves carefully cutting and repositioning metatarsal bones to relieve pressure and improve alignment. This is commonly used to address chronic pain under the ball of the foot, excessive pressure under a metatarsal head or abnormal loading patterns. This procedure is appropriate if non-surgical methods have not relieved pain.

A metatarsal osteotomy is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under regional anaesthesia. The end of the metatarsal bone is cut, then the two bones are shifted and held in the appropriate position with either pins or screws. A temporary wire may also be placed through the toe to hold the position.
Recovery time after a metatarsal osteotomy typically takes about 4-6 weeks. An offloading boot or shoe should be used and the dressing is to be kept clean. If a temporary wire is placed on the toe, it is typically removed about 4-6 weeks after the procedure.

Metatarsal Exostectomy

A metatarsal exostectomy is typically indicated for conditions like dorsal exostosis, bone spurs, metatarsalgia or Tailor’s bunions. It involves the removal of a bony bump (exostosis) that may be causing irritation, friction, or difficulty wearing shoes. An exostectomy helps to relieve pain and improve joint function. It involves a small incision to remove the protrusion, often using minimally invasive techniques (MIS) for quicker recovery and minimal soft tissue damage.

This procedure is a minimally invasive procedure done through a small incision under local anaesthesia. A burr is used to reshape the bone with less damage to the surrounding tissues. In some cases, an exostectomy is insufficient and an osteotomy must be performed.

The recovery period for an exostectomy can vary depending on the extent of the procedure, but general full recovery is between 4-8 weeks. Patients should use a post operative shoe or boot in the initial healing phase.

Metatarsal Condylectomy

A condylectomy reduces part of the metatarsal head, often used to treat chronic metatarsalgia, severe calluses, diabetic foot ulcers or joint instability. It decreases pressure points, often helping resolve persistent corns or soft tissue irritation. It is frequently performed using minimally invasive (MIS) techniques to reduce recovery time and involves shaving bone to relieve pressure.

A metatarsal condylectomy is often performed as a minimally invasive outpatient surgery through a small incision. A burr is used to remove the prominent bone on the bottom of the metatarsal head.

Patients should use a post operative shoe or boot when walking and keep the dressing clean. Full recovery from a condylectomy procedure can take several months, but patients can resume regular walking about 4-8 weeks after the procedure.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery depends on the type of procedure performed, but most metatarsal surgeries involve a period of protected healing to allow the bone and surrounding tissues to recover properly. You may be advised to limit or modify weightbearing initially, often using a surgical shoe or boot to protect the area. Swelling and mild discomfort are common in the early stages and gradually improve over time.

As healing progresses, activity is slowly reintroduced, along with guidance on proper footwear and support to reduce strain on the forefoot. Regular surgical follow-up visits are important to monitor healing and ensure the foot is recovering as expected. These are usually scheduled for 5 days post-op, 2 weeks post-op, 6 weeks post-op and a final 3 month check. While simpler procedures may heal within several weeks, more complex corrections—such as bone lengthening—may require a longer recovery period.

Comprehensive Assessment

We evaluate biomechanics, pressure distribution, and structural concerns to determine the most appropriate treatment.

Conservative Care First

We prioritize non-surgical options and only recommend surgery when it is necessary and likely to provide meaningful benefit.

Guided Care from Assessment to Recovery

From the initial assessment through post-treatment follow-up, we provide clear guidance at every stage of your care.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If forefoot pain or pressure is affecting your daily activities, early assessment may help prevent the condition from worsening. Addressing metatarsal issues at the source may improve comfort, restore function, and make it easier to stay active.

At Step Right Foot Clinic, we take the time to understand your symptoms and guide you through all appropriate treatment options from conservative care to surgical solutions when needed.