Lisfranc injuries often occur as a result of a high-energy impact to the midfoot. It's common to see fractures of the Lisfranc joint in high collision or contact sports such as football, rugby, soccer, gymnastics, and lacrosse. However, low-energy incidents, such as twisting, can also be a cause.
Foot and ankle fractures are common injuries we often see at Neville Foot & Ankle Centers. These fractures can be debilitating and interfere with enjoying an active life. Because you want to heal as quickly as possible, it’s beneficial to see a podiatrist when you’ve fractured your foot or ankle. Here's what to know about this particular injury and how our team can help.
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Why Is It Called a Lisfranc Injury?
The Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) were brutal, and France was running short of physicians. Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin, an OBGYN by trade, was pulled in to help wounded soldiers on the battlefield out of necessity. One day, a soldier was dismounting from his horse when his foot became stuck in the stirrups, which compromised his blood flow to his lower limb and created a gangrenous foot. LisFranc described the surgery as "amputation of the foot through the tarsometatarsal articulation".
Today, the eponymous injury—a Lisfranc injury—has come to mean a dislocation or fracture-dislocation injury at the tarsometatarsal joints, located in the midfoot.
What Are Common Symptoms?
The chief complaint may be an inability to bear weight along with some mild swelling of the forefoot or midfoot—sometimes a visible deformity. Bruising of the arch is sometimes present but not required for a Lisfranc diagnosis. During detailed examinations, our podiatrists often use X-rays to help identify this injury.
Lisfranc Injury Treatment Options You'll Find at Neville Foot & Ankle Center
Our entire team is dedicated to helping our patients get back to their normal lives as quickly as possible. There are both non-invasive and surgical treatment approaches for a Lisfranc fracture. If you believe you may have this injury, a consultation with one of our highly skilled podiatric surgeons will help you determine the best course of action for your situation.
To ensure a full recovery, it's often necessary for you to be non-weight-bearing for a minimum of 6 weeks. After that time, partial weight-bearing movement is possible. However, depending on your specific injury, it will still be several weeks before you're able to resume full weight-bearing activities. Generally, most of our patients are able to have the supportive hardware removed from their foot after 12 weeks.
Many sports professionals fear receiving a Lisfranc fracture diagnosis due to the lengthy recovery process, but our Greater Houston podiatrists provide a comprehensive care plan that ensures the condition heals properly, providing the utmost confidence in their return to competition.
