Keywords :
American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society midfoot score, Lisfranc injury, Open reduction internal fixation, Radiological outcomes, Tarsometatarsal joint
Citation Information :
Nousfier, Purushothaman R, Karun N, Mammu S, Pawaskar SM, MV AR. Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Lisfranc Injuries: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Foot Ankle Surg Asia-Pacific 2025; 12 (2):90-95.
Background: Lisfranc injuries are complex tarsometatarsal joint disruptions, often resulting in chronic pain and disability if not accurately diagnosed and managed. This study evaluates the functional and radiological outcomes of various fixation methods for Lisfranc injuries and assesses their complications.
Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study included 27 patients with acute Lisfranc injuries treated between January 2020 and December 2023. Patients were diagnosed using weight-bearing X-rays and CT scans. Treatment modalities included open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with screws or plates and minimally invasive K-wire fixation. Functional outcomes were assessed using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score at 6 and 12 months. Radiological outcomes were based on diastasis and tarsometatarsal sag. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests, Chi-squared tests, and regression analysis using SPSS version 26.0.
Results: The mean AOFAS midfoot score improved from 78 at 6 months to 85 at 12 months. Screw fixation showed the highest scores (87 at 1 year), followed by dorsal plating (79) and K-wire fixation (72). Radiological analysis revealed better alignment (diastasis <2 mm, sag <15°) in screw fixation cases. Chronic pain (51.8%) and deformities (29.6%) were the most common complications, significantly lowering AOFAS scores.
Conclusion: Screw fixation achieved superior functional and radiological outcomes, while dorsal plating provided moderate stability in severe cases. K-wire fixation demonstrated lower efficacy and higher rates of complications. Early intervention, anatomical reduction, and individualized treatment planning are key to optimizing outcomes.
Cassebaum WH. Lisfranc fracture-dislocations. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1963;(30):116–129.
Hardcastle PH, Reschauer R, Kutscha-Lissberg E, et al. Injuries to the tarsometatarsal joint. Incidence, classification and treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1982;64(3):349–356. DOI: 10.1302/0301-620X.64B3.7096403
Goossens M, De Stoop N. Lisfranc's fracture-dislocations: etiology, radiology, and results of treatment. A review of 20 cases. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1983;(176):154–162.
Myerson MS, Fisher RT, Burgess AR, et al. Fracture dislocations of the tarsometatarsal joints: end results correlated with pathology and treatment. Foot Ankle 1986;6(5):225–242. DOI: 10.1177/107110078600600504
Sangeorzan BJ, Verth RG, Hansen ST Jr. Salvage of Lisfranc's tarsometatarsal joint by arthrodesis. Foot Ankle 1990;10(4):193–200. DOI: 10.1177/107110079001000401
Mantas JP, Burks RT. Lisfranc injuries in the athlete. Clin Sports Med 1994;13(4):719–730. DOI: 10.1016/S0278-5919(20)30281-7
Mulier T, Reynders P, Dereymaeker G, et al. Severe Lisfranc injuries: primary arthrodesis or ORIF? Foot Ankle Int 2002;23(10):902–905. DOI: 10.1177/107110070202301003
Peicha G, Labovitz J, Seibert FJ, et al. The anatomy of the joint as a risk factor for Lisfranc dislocation and fracture-dislocation. An anatomical and radiological case control study. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2002;84(7):981–985. DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.84b7.12587
Kuo RS, Tejwani NC, Digiovanni CW, et al. Outcome after open reduction and internal fixation of Lisfranc joint injuries. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2000;82(11):1609–1618. DOI: 10.2106/00004623-200011000-00015
Alberta FG, Aronow MS, Barrero M, et al. Ligamentous Lisfranc joint injuries: a biomechanical comparison of dorsal plate and transarticular screw fixation. Foot Ankle Int 2005;26(6):462–473. DOI: 10.1177/107110070502600607
Desmond EA, Chou LB. Current concepts review: Lisfranc injuries. Foot Ankle Int 2006;27(8):653–660. DOI: 10.1177/107110070602700819
Ly TV, Coetzee JC. Treatment of primarily ligamentous Lisfranc joint injuries: primary arthrodesis compared with open reduction and internal fixation. A prospective, randomized study. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2006;88(3):514–520. DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.E.00228
Henning JA, Jones CB, Sietsema DL, et al. Open reduction internal fixation versus primary arthrodesis for Lisfranc injuries: a prospective randomized study. Foot Ankle Int 2009;30(10):913–922. DOI: 10.3113/FAI.2009.0913
Stavlas P, Roberts CS, Xypnitos FN, et al. The role of reduction and internal fixation of Lisfranc fracture-dislocations: a systematic review of the literature. Int Orthop 2010;34(8):1083–1091. DOI: 10.1007/s00264-010-1101-x
Vosbikian M, O'Neil JT, Piper C, et al. Outcomes after percutaneous reduction and fixation of low-energy Lisfranc injuries. Foot Ankle Int 2017;38(7):710–715. DOI: 10.1177/1071100717706154
Weatherford BM, Bohay DR, Anderson JG. Open reduction and internal fixation versus primary arthrodesis for Lisfranc injuries. Foot Ankle Clin 2017;22(1):1–14. DOI: 10.1016/j.fcl.2016.09.002
Stavrakakis IM, Magarakis GE, Christoforakis Z. Percutaneous fixation of Lisfranc joint injuries: a systematic review of the literature. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2019;53(6):457–462. DOI: 10.1016/j.aott.2019.08.005
Ren W, Li HB, Lu JK, et al. Undisplaced subtle ligamentous Lisfranc injuries, conservative or surgical treatment with percutaneous position screws? Chin J Traumatol 2019;22(4):196–201. DOI: 10.1016/j.cjtee.2019.03.005
Moracia-Ochagavía I, Rodríguez-Merchán EC. Lisfranc fracture-dislocations: current management. EFORT Open Rev 2019;4(7):430–444. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.180076
Delman C, Patel M, Campbell M, et al. Flexible fixation technique for Lisfranc injuries. Foot Ankle Int 2019;40(11):1338–1345. DOI: 10.1177/1071100719873271
Mosca M, Fuiano M, Censoni D, et al. A mid-term follow-up retrospective evaluation of tarsometatarsal joint fracture-dislocations treated by closed reduction and percutaneous K-wires fixation. Injury 2021;52(6):1635–1640. DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2020.10.040
Prasla SJ, Jiang SF, Pollard JD, et al. Mid-term incidence of tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis following open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) of Lisfranc injuries. J Foot Ankle Surg 2024;63:4–8. DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2023.08.011