Every step should not feel like walking on a pebble wedged beneath the ball of your foot. When a stubborn callus, a non-healing ulcer, or a misaligned metatarsal bone turns daily activity into a chore, targeted foot surgery can restore comfort and confidence.
Dr. D. Sean Sweeney, DPM, FACFAS, and Dr. Christy Leahey, DPM, FACFAS, bring more than 20 years of surgical expertise to The Woodlands and Magnolia. Voted Best Podiatrist in The Woodlands by Living Magazine every year since 2012, Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists pair advanced surgical technique with a warm, personalized approach.
Understanding Metatarsal Surgery
Each foot contains five metatarsal bones—the long bones that connect the midfoot to the toes. Most metatarsal surgeries are performed on the first metatarsal to correct a bunion or on the fifth to correct a tailor’s bunion. Procedures on the second, third, and fourth metatarsals are less common and typically focus on relieving painful calluses, correcting bone alignment, or treating non-healing wounds on the ball of the foot.
When Metatarsal Surgery May Be Recommended
Painful calluses form when one metatarsal sits lower than its neighbors, concentrating pressure on a small area with every step. In patients with diabetes, that same pressure can break down skin and create ulcerations. Common reasons for surgery include:
- Chronic, painful calluses on the ball of the foot
- Non-healing diabetic ulcers under a metatarsal head
- Abnormal metatarsal alignment that orthotics alone cannot relieve
Conservative care—custom orthotics, activity changes, and pressure offloading—is always the starting point. When symptoms persist, surgery becomes the next consideration.
What to Expect During the Procedure
The surgeon cuts the affected metatarsal just behind the toe, elevates the bone into proper alignment, and secures it with a small pin or screw. The procedure is typically performed in an outpatient surgery center using IV sedation or general anesthesia for your comfort. A gauze dressing is applied at the end of surgery, and you transition to a below-the-knee cast, walking boot, or stiff-soled post-operative shoe, depending on the technique used.
Recovery and Results
Bone healing generally takes six to eight weeks, and protecting the foot from early weight bearing is the single most important factor in a successful outcome. Plan for at least one week off work with the foot elevated above the heart. Skin stitches are removed at 10 to 14 days, and any pin is typically removed in the office at three to four weeks. Possible complications include infection, delayed bone healing, stress fractures of nearby metatarsals, or recurrence of the painful callus.
Metatarsal Surgery for Diabetic Ulcerations
When a diabetic ulcer on the ball of the foot does not heal, the surgeon may remove the metatarsal head—the rounded portion of bone that causes the pressure. This procedure has a strong track record for closing chronic wounds. Pairing it with our diabetic foot care services and a properly fitted custom orthotic helps prevent new pressure points from forming.
Why Choose Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists for Metatarsal Surgery in The Woodlands, TX?
Few practices in Greater Houston offer the combination of surgical experience and modern recovery support found at Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists. Dr. Sweeney and Dr. Leahey are Fellows of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and our award-winning team has cared for foot and ankle patients across The Woodlands and Magnolia for over two decades.
We incorporate advanced recovery tools into every surgical plan, including FDA-cleared MLS laser therapy, which has an 85–90% efficacy rate for pain and inflammation. Patient-centered care means a clear conversation about expectations, a recovery plan tailored to your job and activity level, and prompt scheduling when a foot problem cannot wait.
Step Forward with Confidence
Whether you are tired of a stubborn callus or working to heal a diabetic ulcer, a thorough evaluation is the starting point for lasting relief. Schedule a consultation at our Woodlands office at (281) 292-4944 or our Magnolia office at (281) 789-4956, and let our team build a plan that gets you back on your feet.