Dealing with a Lisfranc Injury
August 2024
A Lisfranc injury involves damage to the midfoot area where the metatarsals connect to the tarsal bones. Such an injury can occur in a car collision resulting from the high-energy forces at impact. This type of injury can include fractures, dislocations, or ligament tears and is often misdiagnosed as a simple sprain due to subtle symptoms.
Common symptoms of a Lisfranc injury include bruising (especially on the bottom of the foot), swelling and pain on the top of the foot and difficulty in putting weight on the foot. Diagnosis of a Lisfranc injury typically involves a physical examination and imaging tests to assess the extent of the injury.
Treatment of a Lisfranc injury will depend on the severity fo the injury. A minor injury could be treated with an immobilization cast. However, more severe injuries require surgery. The most common surgical approach is an open reduction internal fixation. In this surgical procedure, the bones are repositioned correctly and held in place with screws, wires and plates. In severe cases, damaged bones can be fused together to heal as a single bone.
If left untreated, a Lisfranc injury can lead to complications such as chronic pain, deformites and arthritis due to improper healing.
If you have suffered a foot injury due to the fault of another, take the time to find experienced trial counsel. At Herrick & Hart, we have been on the side of the injured since 1951.