Lisfranc Injuries
Lisfranc Injuries in Houston
If the bones in your midfoot have been broken or the ligaments that support your midfoot have been torn, you’ve likely suffered a Lisfranc injury. While a Lisfranc injury is often mistaken for a simple sprain, this type of injury is actually pretty severe and may require many months and even a surgery to heal. Your midfoot is made up of a cluster of small bones that help to form your foot’s arch. The midfoot joint complex is also called the Lisfranc joint (named after French surgeon Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin). Lisfranc injuries also tend to damage the cartilage found in your midfoot joints. This type of injury is usually caused by a twist and fall or direct trauma from a fall from a height. Symptoms may include bruising on the top and bottom of your foot, painful swelling, tenderness to pressure, and pain that seems to worsen with standing, walking, or attempting to push off on your affected foot.
The Prognosis on Lisfranc Injury Treatment and Recovery
X-rays and CT and MRI scans are usually required to diagnose a Lisfranc injury. Depending upon the severity of your injury, both surgical and nonsurgical treatments may be available. A nonsurgical treatment plan usually includes wearing a non-weight-bearing cast or boot for at least six weeks, progressing into a removable cast boot or an orthotic. However, surgery may be required to realign the joints and return your broken bone fragments to a normal position. Rehabilitation is usually recommended for at least 6-8 weeks after surgery. It should be noted that some athletes who sustain this type of injury never return to their pre-injury levels, and some may develop arthritis in the future.