Lisfranc Injury Treatment

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Lisfranc Injury Treatment The Lisfranc injury derives its name from the French surgeon Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin who saw and treated injury to the midfoot region often among soldiers who fell off their horse with the foot stuck in the stirrup during his days with the Napoleonic army. Thankfully the mode of treatment has advanced significantly since that time when such foot injuries often resulted in amputation. Lisfranc Fracture, Dislocation or Ligament Tear The Lisfranc joint of the foot is comprised of a cluster of bones and ligaments and the base of the metatarsal bones. A twist of the foot or a fall or impact over the top of one’s foot with the foot flexed downward can fracture or dislocate the bones or cause a Lisfranc ligament tear. Often this occurs between the first metatarsal (the big toe) and the second metatarsal, as these two bones are not connected by any tissue. Sports that have equipment with bindings over the metatarsal bones, such as snowboarding or wakeboarding , can also increase one’s risk of sustaining a Lisfranc foot injury. Major trauma to the foot can also result in one or multiple Lisfranc injuries to the foot. This might include such things as getting stepped on by a horse, falling off a ladder, getting in an automobile accident, or a football player falling onto a blocking lineman’s raised foot. (Read about other foot injuries and conditions .) Nonsurgical Lisfranc Sprain Treatment The extent of the damage will determine the mode of treatment. If the Lisfranc injury does not include any fractures, major joint dislocation or complete tears to the ligament, one may be able to treat it by following the steps of RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) and staying off of the foot for six weeks. During this stretch, one will have to wear a non-weight-bearing cast and use crutches. After this period of relative immobilization of the foot has passed, the next step of Lisfranc treatment involves transitioning to a removable cast boot that