Lisfranc Fracture Dislocation Treatment

Lisfranc Fracture Dislocation Treatment

What is Lisfranc Fracture?
Lisfranc is a name of French doctor who first described this fracture. This fracture occurs at the midfoot, where a cluster of many small bones forms an arch on the top of the foot between toes and ankle. The bones are held/fixated by ligaments (connective tissues) that stretch across and down the foot, so they can be stable. However, there is no ligaments that hold the first metatarsal (long bones; all of them are five) to the second metatarsal. So when you drop a heavy box exactly on the top of  the foot, a twisting dall can shift (or dislocate) these bones out of place. That is called Lisfranc fracture.


Diagnosis of Lisfranc Fracture
Lisfranc fracture is different with sprain. But what seems outside is similar. The top of the foot may be swollen and very painful! It may be difficult to see on X-rays, make it unrecognized. Unrecognized Lisfranc fracture can have serious complications in the future such as: compartment syndrome and joint degeneration, damage of nerve cells and blood vessels around that.
You should contact an orthopaedist to ensure the diagnosis of Lisfranc fracture. He will physically examine and then perform an X-rays. If first X-rays doesn't show an injury, he will ask for other X-rays with different views. In several cases, CT-scan and MRI are also needed.

Lisfranc Fracture Dislocation Treatment
The action treatments are divided in the operative or non-operative treatment. It depends on the severity. There are non operative and operative options.

• Non operative. You will probably just have to wear a cast and refrain from putting weight in the foot and rest it for 6 weeks. After that, the cast will be removed and replace by a rigid arch support, followed by physiotherapy/ foot exercise to restore strength and help gaining full range of motion. 
• Operative. If the bones have been forced out of position, operative treatment is needed to stabilize and hold the bones in place until completing the healing process. Orthopaedist may use wires and screws. Immobilization should be done until 8 weeks.

One most important of Lisfranc fracture dislocation treatment is you should obey your doctor's orders, refrain from activities until you are allowed to do so. If you do the activities too quickly, it may harm you, another injury may happen such as damage of blood vessels and nerves, infection (arthritis), and they all need longer time of healing.