Stokes, 30, withdrew from England's test squad for the series against India after saying he would take an "indefinite break" from cricket to prioritise his mental wellbeing
Stokes had an X-ray and CT scan on Thursday, which had revealed the extent of the damage, the ECB statement said, adding that he will fly home for surgery in Leeds on Monday.
"It's a big blow but it's not the end of the world because Ben Stokes would have needed resting in this difficult scheduling year anyway," former England skipper Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports on Friday.