Concierge foot & ankle surgery · UK
Private foot fracture surgery, by a consultant foot & ankle surgeon.
A calcaneus, talus, navicular, Lisfranc, Jones or metatarsal fracture fixed properly — the right approach, the right implants, and a rehabilitation plan that runs for months, not weeks.
Why patients choose us
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A consultant foot & ankle surgeon, in theatre
Not a generalist and not a trainee. A named foot & ankle specialist working to BOA/BOAST-4 and BOFAS standards.
- 02
The right fracture pattern gets the right fix
Calcaneus, talus, navicular, Lisfranc, Jones, metatarsal, phalanx — each has its own answer. We match yours.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private foot fracture surgery costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send imaging and the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A metatarsal ORIF in our network: £4,800–£7,500, home the next morning.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORIF metatarsal (plate or screws) | £4,800–£7,500 | 60–90 min | 1 night |
| IM screw fixation, 5th MT Jones fracture | £5,500–£8,500 | 45–75 min | Day case or 1 night |
| ORIF Lisfranc (dorsal bridge plate/screws) | £8,500–£13,000 | 90–150 min | 1–2 nights |
| Primary TMT arthrodesis (ligamentous Lisfranc) | £9,500–£14,500 | 120–180 min | 1–2 nights |
| ORIF calcaneus (sinus-tarsi or extensile) | £9,500–£15,000 | 120–180 min | 1–2 nights |
| ORIF talus (Hawkins II–IV) | £9,500–£15,000 | 120–180 min | 1–2 nights |
| K-wire fixation, phalanx or small metatarsal | £3,200–£5,500 | 30–60 min | Day case |
| Consultation and weight-bearing imaging | £300–£550 | 45 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by the surgeon and anaesthetist, by whether primary fusion is chosen, and by implant costs. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right surgeon, the right approach, the right implants.
A foot fracture is where a generalist orthopaedic list is at its weakest. Missed Lisfranc injuries, calcaneus wounds that break down, Jones screws in the wrong patients — the three most common failures we see.
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Missed Lisfranc?
A weight-bearing X-ray and CT catch what the plain film misses — before the joint is beyond saving.
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Calcaneus wound risk?
A sinus-tarsi approach reduces the classic 20 percent wound breakdown of the extensile lateral approach.
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Which Jones screw?
Zone 2 in an athlete gets a screw. Zone 2 in a sedentary patient often does not. We pick the right one for you.
The journey
From enquiry to full return to sport — what happens, in order.
One consultant from first message through theatre to the last physio review — including the long tail of rehab.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
One to two nights at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what happened
Mechanism, imaging so far, and where you are — A&E, fracture clinic, or private. We work from that.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right surgeon, the right theatre, likely fixation, likely non-weight-bearing time.
- 03
Before
Imaging and pre-op
Weight-bearing X-rays and CT for Lisfranc, calcaneus and talus. Bloods and swelling review before theatre — soft tissue matters.
- 04
On the day
Arrival and anaesthetic
Consent, mark, and a chat with the surgeon and anaesthetist. GA or regional block, tourniquet as needed.
- 05
On the day
The procedure itself
ORIF with plates, screws or K-wires — or primary fusion where the joint is beyond saving. 60 to 180 minutes.
- 06
On the day
One or two nights in
Open reductions usually mean an overnight stay for elevation, ice, analgesia and a physio review before discharge.
- 07
After
Boot, non-weight-bearing, then rehab
Six to twelve weeks non-weight-bearing in a boot, then graded loading, physio and gait retraining for months.
Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks from enquiry to theatre. Full return to sport: 4–9 months.
When it helps
The foot fracture patterns that need theatre.
The patterns we see most, and the one red flag — an Achilles avulsion of the calcaneal beak in an elderly or fluoroquinolone-exposed patient — that jumps the queue.
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Calcaneus (heel bone) fracture
Böhler angle under 20° or Gissane over 130° usually needs ORIF — sinus-tarsi approach reduces wound problems.
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Talus fracture (Hawkins I–IV)
AVN risk rises with grade. Hawkins sign at six weeks is a hopeful marker of preserved blood supply.
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Navicular body or stress fracture
Body and tuberosity fractures carry a real non-union risk — mini-fragment ORIF is often the answer.
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Lisfranc (tarsometatarsal) injury
Missed in around one in five presentations. Weight-bearing X-ray and CT are essential; ORIF or primary fusion follows.
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5th metatarsal Jones fracture
Zone 2 watershed — intramedullary screw for athletes; boot and non-weight-bearing for sedentary patients.
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Metatarsal shaft fracture
Closed treatment is fine under 10° angulation and 4mm shortening — ORIF plate or K-wire if displaced.
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Phalangeal fracture
Most heal with a buddy strap and stiff-sole shoe. Displaced intra-articular fractures need K-wire fixation.
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Red flag: Achilles avulsion, calcaneus beak
Elderly, steroid or fluoroquinolone use — the skin over the heel can necrose. Urgent ORIF, not a routine list.
Fixation options
Every foot bone has its own answer.
Plate, screw, K-wire or primary fusion — what each option involves, and which fracture pattern it suits.
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ORIF plate and screws
Open reduction and internal fixation with a low-profile plate — the workhorse for calcaneus, Lisfranc and displaced metatarsals.
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Intramedullary screw (Jones)
A single screw down the shaft of the 5th metatarsal — fast return to sport, low soft-tissue impact.
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K-wire fixation
Percutaneous wires for small metatarsal and phalangeal fractures — removed in clinic at four to six weeks.
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Percutaneous screw fixation
Small stab incisions and cannulated screws for selected talus, navicular and Lisfranc patterns — kinder to the skin.
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Dorsal bridge plate (Lisfranc)
A plate that spans the tarsometatarsal joint to hold the reduction — usually removed at four to six months.
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Primary arthrodesis
Fusion at first surgery — for purely ligamentous Lisfranc injuries and severely comminuted subtalar joints where the joint will not survive.
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Sinus-tarsi approach, calcaneus
A smaller incision through the sinus tarsi — lower wound-breakdown rate than the classic extensile lateral approach.
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Non-operative in a boot
Not every foot fracture needs theatre. Undisplaced metatarsal and phalangeal fractures do well in a boot with graded loading.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of foot & ankle surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant foot & ankle surgeons across London and the home counties. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every foot & ankle surgeon in our network.
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Consultant foot & ankle surgeons, BOFAS-affiliated
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Weight-bearing CT available for Lisfranc and midfoot fractures
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Sinus-tarsi approach offered for calcaneus, not just extensile lateral
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BOA/BOAST-4 compliant open-fracture pathway with plastics on call
Risks and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Foot fracture surgery is a big operation with a long tail. The bone heals in weeks; the joint, the gait and the confidence take months.
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Wound breakdown, especially calcaneus
The classic extensile lateral approach carries around 20 percent wound trouble. A sinus-tarsi approach reduces that materially and we prefer it where it fits.
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Infection and hardware pain
Superficial infection is uncommon; deep infection rarer. Prominent hardware — especially over the 5th metatarsal — is a known reason for late removal.
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AVN of the talus
Blood supply to the talar body is fragile. Risk rises with Hawkins grade. Hawkins sign on the six-week X-ray is reassuring, its absence is not the end.
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Post-traumatic arthritis
Subtalar, talonavicular and tarsometatarsal joints develop arthritis in 30 to 70 percent of significant fractures — sometimes leading to later fusion.
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Non-union
Jones fractures and navicular stress fractures are the classic non-unions of the foot. Screw fixation, bone graft and time usually solve them.
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Stiffness and CRPS
Every foot fracture stiffens. A small number develop Complex Regional Pain Syndrome — early physio and normal loading reduce the risk.
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DVT and pulmonary embolism
Non-weight-bearing in a boot is a genuine DVT risk. We use aspirin or low-molecular-weight heparin during the immobilisation window.
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Return to activity is slow, and honest
Trainer at three to four months, running at four to six, sport at six to nine. Some Lisfranc and calcaneus patients never return to pre-injury level.
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Red flags
Increasing pain out of the cast, fever, calf swelling, spreading redness or a numb, cold foot are all reasons to call the team the same day.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever bone, whichever fixation, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Fracture pattern and classification
Which bone, which pattern, and which classification — Sanders for calcaneus, Hawkins for talus, Myerson for Lisfranc.
- 02 Technique
Approach, implants and reduction
Sinus-tarsi versus extensile, plate versus screw versus K-wire, anatomical reduction achieved on intra-op imaging.
- 03 Findings
Soft tissue, cartilage, associated injuries
Skin condition, cartilage damage seen at the joint, and any second injury picked up on CT that needs a plan.
- 04 Impression
Weight-bearing plan, boot, review
Read this first: how long non-weight-bearing, when the boot comes off, when physio starts, and when to be reviewed.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Foot fracture surgery is almost always covered by UK insurers when medically indicated. We confirm cover, excess and any hardware-removal implications before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about foot fracture surgery.
Quick answers on which fractures need theatre, how long you will be off your feet, and when you can drive, run and return to sport.
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Do all broken foot bones need surgery?
No. Most undisplaced metatarsal and phalangeal fractures heal in a stiff-sole shoe or boot. Surgery is for displaced fractures, joint-involving fractures, Lisfranc injuries, most calcaneus and talus fractures, and Jones fractures in athletes.
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How long will I be non-weight-bearing after foot fracture surgery?
Usually six to twelve weeks depending on the bone. Metatarsals and phalanges — six weeks. Calcaneus, talus, navicular and Lisfranc — often ten to twelve weeks before any weight goes through the foot.
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What is a Lisfranc injury and why does it matter?
It is an injury to the tarsometatarsal joint complex in the midfoot. Around one in five is missed at first presentation because the plain X-ray can look normal — weight-bearing X-ray and CT are needed. Untreated, it leads to painful midfoot arthritis.
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What is a Jones fracture and why is it different from a "dancer’s fracture"?
A Jones fracture is at the watershed zone of the 5th metatarsal base and is prone to non-union. A dancer’s fracture is a spiral break of the shaft that heals well. Jones fractures in active people usually get an intramedullary screw; dancer’s fractures rarely need surgery.
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How long until I can walk, drive and run again?
Boot and crutches for six to twelve weeks. Trainer at three to four months. Driving usually four to eight weeks after weight-bearing starts. Running four to six months, sport six to nine — longer for calcaneus and Lisfranc.
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Will the metalwork need to come out?
Not routinely. Prominent screws over the 5th metatarsal, dorsal Lisfranc plates and any hardware that irritates the skin are the common reasons for a second, smaller operation at four to six months.
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How much does private foot fracture surgery cost in the UK?
Roughly £3,200–£5,500 for K-wire fixation, £4,800–£8,500 for a metatarsal or Jones fracture, and £8,500–£15,000 for Lisfranc, calcaneus or talus fixation. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
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When should I go to A&E instead of a private clinic?
Open wounds over the fracture, a cold or numb foot, uncontrolled pain, a heel with tented skin from an Achilles avulsion, or any high-energy injury go straight to A&E. Private care picks up afterwards.
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