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Media Gallery

Radiograph illustrating diabetic patient with first ray instability of the right foot. The articular surfaces of the second and first metatarsal are level in the transverse plane, indicating proximal migration of the first ray. The left foot shows the advanced stage of an untreated Lisfranc injury with similar first ray instability.
Clinical identification of typical plantar ecchymosis pattern observed in Lisfranc injuries.
In this anteroposterior radiograph of a Lisfranc dislocation, note the disruption of the normal second tarsometatarsal alignment.
In this lateral radiograph of a typical Lisfranc injury, note the malalignment of the metatarsal bases with the midfoot.
In this medial oblique radiograph of a normal foot, note the medial borders of the cuboid and fourth metatarsal base. They should be even, as depicted by the black lines.
In this medial oblique radiograph of a Lisfranc injury, note the loss of alignment between the cuboid and fourth metatarsal base (black lines). This is diagnostic of a Lisfranc injury and is as important as recognition of the second tarsometatarsal instability.
Stress view. This patient, with a suspected Lisfranc injury, presents with a normal appearing anteroposterior radiograph of the foot. Plantar ecchymosis and clinical presentation of pain warrant further investigation. In this radiograph, alignment of the medial border of the second metatarsal and the medial cuneiform is near normal. Patient is unable to bear weight due to a femur fracture sustained in the same accident.
In this stressed view, with adequate anesthesia to the patient, the foot is stressed in a medial/lateral plane. The forefoot is forced laterally with the hindfoot brought medially. Note that the second tarsometatarsal joint opens up, and the normal alignment between the medial border of the second metatarsal base and the middle cuneiform is distorted. This injury requires surgical stabilization.
Standard anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates a Lisfranc fracture dislocation. Determining the extent of fracture involving the joint is difficult with plain radiographs.
CT scan in the coronal plane can demonstrate the extent of injury at the joint. Compare with the plain radiograph of this injury in the related image. Note the plantar avulsion, suggesting severe disruption of the plantar ligamentous structures.
This diagram depicts the suggested fixation order of placement and alignment of screws for surgical fixation of unstable Lisfranc injuries.
Preoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates a Lisfranc dislocation.
Preoperative lateral radiograph demonstrates a Lisfranc dislocation.
Postoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates reduction and fixation of Lisfranc dislocation.
Postoperative lateral radiograph illustrates placement of fixation screws for stabilization of Lisfranc joint.
Preoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates a Lisfranc injury with proximal tarsal instability. The medial cuneiform is displaced medially, bringing the joint line level with the second. The proximal anatomy must be restored and stabilized before addressing the tarsometatarsal joint.
Postoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates restoration of normal midfoot alignment. Screw fixation was used to stabilize the cuneiform prior to realigning the Lisfranc joint. Due to comminution of the second and third metatarsal shafts, Kirschner wires were used to hold their position. In this case, due to continued instability, a wire through the fourth tarsometatarsal joint was also used.
Preoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates a Lisfranc injury with associated distal fracture. Note the displacement of the base of the first metatarsal.
Postoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates fixation of the metatarsal, as well as stabilization of the Lisfranc joint.
Preoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates a missed old Lisfranc injury with subsequent valgus foot deformity and painful weight bearing throughout the midfoot.
Preoperative lateral radiograph demonstrates loss of plantar integrity through Lisfranc joint area. The normal linear alignment of the bones from the metatarsal to the talus is lost, with a sag at the tarsometatarsal joint.
In this postoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrating reduction of Lisfranc alignment and screw configuration for tarsometatarsal fusion, note that only the medial 3 joints are fused. The lateral 2 joints remain mobile and actually open up when compared with the previous pictures.
Postoperative lateral radiograph demonstrates restoration of alignment with tarsometatarsal fusion.

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Author

Nirmal Tejwani, MD, MPA Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases; Chief of Orthopedic Trauma, Bellevue Hospital

Nirmal Tejwani, MD, MPA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, AO Foundation, Orthopaedic Trauma Association

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Orthopedic Trauma Association Board of directors.<br/>Received honoraria from Stryker for speaking and teaching; Received honoraria from Zimmer for speaking and teaching; for: Stryker; Zimmer.

Coauthor(s)

David J Kirby, MD Resident Physician, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center

David J Kirby, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Medical Student Association/Foundation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Chief Editor

Thomas M DeBerardino, MD, FAAOS, FAOA Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Joe R and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine; Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Faculty of Sports Medicine Fellowship, Baylor College of Medicine; Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon, Department of Orthopaedics, UT Health San Antonio; Consulting Surgeon, Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy and Reconstruction of the Knee, Hip and Shoulder

Thomas M DeBerardino, MD, FAAOS, FAOA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Clinical Orthopaedic Society, Herodicus Society, International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Arthrex, Inc.; MTF; Aesculap; Conmed; JRF<br/>Received research grant from: Arthrex, Inc.; MTF.

Additional Contributors

John S Early, MD Foot/Ankle Specialist, Texas Orthopaedic Associates, LLP; Co-Director, North Texas Foot and Ankle Fellowship, Baylor University Medical Center

John S Early, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Received honoraria from AO North America for speaking and teaching; Received consulting fee from Stryker for consulting; Received consulting fee from Biomet for consulting; Received grant/research funds from AO North America for fellowship funding; Received honoraria from MMI inc for speaking and teaching; Received consulting fee from Osteomed for consulting; Received ownership interest from MedHab Inc for management position.

James K DeOrio, MD Professor of Orthopedics, Director, Duke Foot and Ankle Fellowship, Duke University Medical Center, Duke University School of Medicine; Associate Professor, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine; Clinical Assistant Professor, F Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

James K DeOrio, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Association of Graduates, United States Air Force Academy, Doctors Mayo Society, Mayo Clinic Alumni Association, Society of Air Force Clinical Surgeons, Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Exactech; Treace Medical; Additive; Mirus; Crossroads Orthopedics<br/>Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Exactech; Treace Medical; Additive; Mirus; WoultersKluwer; Crossroads Orthopedics<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Exactech; Treace Medical; Additive; Mirus; WoultersKluwer; Crossroads Orthopedics.

Allison M Wade, MD Orthopedic Surgeon, Vero Orthopedics, Vero Neurology

Allison M Wade, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association, Southern Orthopaedic Association, Tennessee Medical Association, Florida Orthopaedic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Saul G Trevino, MD Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine

Saul G Trevino, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Diabetes Association, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Clinical Orthopaedic Society, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association, Phi Beta Kappa, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Santaram Vallurupalli, MD Assistant Professor, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David L Flood, MD Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine; Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery Subspecialist, Clinic Director of Missouri Orthopedic Institute at Capital Region Medical Center

David L Flood, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Western Orthopaedic Association, California Orthopedic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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