Could You be Suffering from a Lisfranc Injury?

Are you experiencing pain in the mid section of your foot? Does your foot look swollen and is there blistering or bruising in the arch of your foot or the top of the middle of your foot? Is it difficult or impossible to bear weight and walk on the foot? If you answered yes to any of these questions you may have injured your Lisfranc joint or ligament, a condition we treat at Long Island Foot & Ankle Group, PC.

The Lisfranc joint is located at the point in the middle of your foot where the metatarsal bones (the long bones that extend from the midsection of your foot to your toes) meet up with the tarsal bones (the bones in the arch of your foot). The joint is assisted by a tough band of tissue known as the Lisfranc ligament. Common injuries to the Lisfranc include fracturing or dislocating the joint or spraining the ligament.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Our foot and ankle surgeons, Dr. Russell Caprioli, Dr. Mary Ann Bilotti, Dr. John Haight and Dr. Marzana Mleczko will want to start with a complete examination of your foot if you are having discomfort in the midfoot region or experiencing any of the above symptoms. The podiatrist will want details about how the injury occurred. X-rays and other tests may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes a Lisfranc injury mimics a sprained ankle but the treatments for these two conditions are not the same and therefore careful and accurate diagnosis is essential.

The treatment of a Lisfranc injury will depend on the specific type of injury and its severity. In some cases surgery is necessary. For less serious Lisfranc injuries that foot doctor may prescribe oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, icing and elevation to treat symptoms as well as immobilization to allow the foot to heal. Once pain and swelling have been reduced, physical therapy may be recommended.

Possible complications from a Lisfranc injury include compartment syndrome which causes pressure to build up within the tissues of the foot and can cause damage to nerves, blood vessels or muscles. Your Lisfranc joint is very important to the proper alignment of your foot and walking. If you have any symptoms in this area of your foot, contact our Valley Stream or Lake Success office immediately for an appointment.