Lisfranc injuries

Need to know

• What are the symptoms of Lisfranc injuries? icon plus

  Symptoms to be aware of in Lisfranc injuries include:

  • bruising and swelling on the top of your foot; in particular, bruising on the bottom of your foot
  • pain when trying to stand, walk or applying pressure on your injured foot

• How is a Lisfranc injury diagnosed? icon plus

  Your consultant will discuss your symptoms with you to help make a diagnosis. Specific things they may look for include:

  • Bruising on the bottom of your foot. This suggests a midfoot fracture or ligament damage
  • If you experience pain when your consultant applies pressure to your midfoot
  • An X-ray will determine if you have any fractures (broken bones)
  • An MRI scan to assess tissue and tendon damage. This can help to confirm or rule out a Lisfranc injury

• Potential treatment options icon plus

  Your consultant will discuss your treatment options and help to determine the best approach for you.

  • Non-surgical treatment - If there are no fractures, you may be given a special boot to wear for up to six weeks. This protects your foot from further injury while it heals.

  • Surgical treatments
    • Internal fixation. Fractured bones are held in their correct place with plates and/or screws. These can be removed after three to five months.
    • Fusion. If the damage to your foot is more severe, the fractured bones are fused together. This helps them heal and strengthen as one solid piece.