UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Lisfranc injury

Category: Orthopedics

Keywords: Foot, instability, dislocation (PubMed Search)

Posted: 8/24/2019 by Brian Corwell, MD (Updated: 12/26/2024)
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Tarsometatarsal fracture-dislocation

The Lisfranc ligament is critical for stabilization of the midfoot arch and the 2^nd MT

Injuries can range from mild (sprains) to severe (gross dislocation)

Injury may be purely ligamentous injuries or a fracture-dislocations

Difficult diagnosis to make

Mechanisms: MVAs, fall from height or athletic injuries

Common athletic mechanism: Axial load to a hyperplantar flexed forefoot

Injury severity is often underestimated

Severe pain and inability to weight bear

Plantar bruising and bruising throughout midfoot

No specific tests as exam is limited due to pain

Midfoot stress tests

-Often positive but unlikely to be allowed by patient due to pain

Midfoot instability test

Grasp metatarsal heads and apply dorsal force to forefoot.

Other hand palpates the TMT joints and feels for dorsal subluxation