Lisfranc Injuries Can Be Painful and Disabling

If you are suffering from foot swelling, pain in the middle of the foot when standing or walking, difficulty putting weight on the foot, and bruising, the cause may be an injury with an unusual name that can sometimes be difficult to identify. Injuries affecting the Lisfranc joint require a careful diagnosis by a foot and ankle surgeon like the doctor of podiatry at Scott T. Grodman, DPM. We have the experience and methods to successfully treat patients with this complicated injury.

The joint gets its name from Jacques Lisfranc de Martin, a particularly adept French surgeon who served in Napoleon’s army way back in the Nineteenth Century. The Lisfranc joint is where the long bones leading to the toes (known as metatarsal bones) meet the bones in the arch of the foot (tarsal bones). Injuries can occur when these bones are fractured or dislocated. Sprains to the joint occur when the ligament that runs between the bones becomes stretched and weakened. 

Our podiatrist has identified Lisfranc injuries most commonly among people who have been in vehicle crashes, runners, athletes who participate in contact sports, and horseback riders. But the joint can sustain an injury from simply missing a step on a staircase, twisting the foot, or having a heavy object fall on it.

To confirm a diagnosis, our podiatrist will want all the details about how the injury occurred, perform a hands-on examination and typically order X-rays or other imaging technology. Depending on the severity of the injury, treatments can range from immobilizing the affected foot, medication, physical therapy or surgery. Lisfranc injuries don’t resolve on their own and can lead to complications like muscle and nerve damage as well as  arthritis if not addressed quickly.

If you have concerns about symptoms of this injury or any other condition affecting the foot or ankle, our podiatrist at Scott T. Grodman, DPM will help get you back on your feet. Please contact us today for an appointment.