New Lisfranc Injury

Adele · Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

Hi there

I haven't looked at all the site but it seems that the last post was in early Jan 07. However I hope you're all still clicking on.

I tripped on the street and twisted my foot 10 days ago. I was taken to A & E and they believed it was just a small bone fracture, however last week at the fracture clinic the orthopedic surgeons diagnosed a lisfranc injury. They took me into hospital that day and operated the following morn. I had to have a screw inserted.

I will be non-weight bearing for at least 2 months and am horrified to hear what the specialists have to say about this injury and what others have posted about the severe and long-term effects.

However I am not in any pain!!?? Is this normal? Of course, I keep my foot elevated during both day and night, as it does begin to ache a little after an hour or so if I don't. But only 5 - 6 days after the operation and in a heavy plaster cast my main problem is all the fear and worry and concern that my life is in effect over. I hope there are still people out there who can respond because looking through the other posts I see my concerns echoed in many of the newly diagnosed. Why isn't there any counselling? And why hasn't anyone ever heard of the injury that can happen so easily? As I said before I was only walking along the street. Please Help!!

becsoccer3 · Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

I suffered a lisfranc Oct 6, 2004 while playing soccer in college. First we tried to treat it conservatively (which didn't work) - it's now 2007... and I'm about to face surgery #7 in 2 years and 4 months. I did the ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) surgery twice, didn't work either time... I still had TERRIBLE foot pain... This past Sept (06) I had ligament reconstruction done - and now I see the Doc on Wed to see what the next surgery is going to be...

This is a tough tough injury to treat... if any one has any questions about lisfrancs though I can probably help!

bec

gimpy · Newbie Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 6

I too was not in pain after the surgery. I think I'm in more pain now than then but it keeps getting better!

Guest · Guest

I hurt my foot too just walking, the Dr. said it might be Lisfranc and did a CT scan. orthopedics.about.com/b/a/225251.htm a NFL player suffered this type of injury and is still playing football at a high level had one of his best seasons of his career the year after his surgery.

So I dont think it is too much of a big deal some people have more severe LisFranc Injuries but I think me and you wont be that bad. The main concern or severity from it comes from the possiblity of painful arthritis but that can be corrected if you have surgery now to put a screw in to help the ligament heal.

Well Good Luck, I hope to be playing football and basketball by summer time. And my dr said after 6 weeks from surgery I will be able to resume activities just got to take it easy and give time for my foot to regain strength.

denisewoodallksu · Newbie Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 1

I gotta wait 24 hours for a call back from the otho surgeon to determine wether a screw is needed. i gimped outta there crying. i thought i was getting better but apparantly its just healing all wrong. i'm scared and sad. was wondering if anyone was still responding to this site. this is a rare wierd problem and lookin for others who have had this experience. i'm dying to know if i'm gonna be able to do all the things i used to do. i used to run and dance and strut around in heels. i just wanna be able to do those things again..oh yeah that and drive!! its my right foot which totally sucks. anyway, hope someone's out there.
Denise

Guest · Guest

I fell in my yard 8/06 and knew my foot was broken. Went to ER where they wrapped it and sent me home. Saw podiatrist the next day. He put me in a unnaboot and made me WALK out of his office. Five weeks later, I was out of the soft cast and in a regular shoe with the doctor ignoring me when I pointed out where my pain was. He even had students diagnosing my problem, but continued ignoring me! I changed doctors, and my new one immediately diagnosed a lisfranc fracture. By then, the injury was 4 mos. old, and I'd tried to resume normal activity. We tried conservative approaches but I'm still having problems -- standing, shopping, walking ---all uncomfortable. Was scheduled for surgery when I had an irregular EKG. Now surgery is on hold, and I wonder if it is too late for a surgery to really help. I'm almost 60 yrs., and would really like to return to my classroom next Sept., but wonder if my teaching days are over. Have any of you had surgery this late in the game? BTW, I've been back in a surgerical shoe for going on five months. Am past being ready to finish this game!

wenevs1 · Newbie Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

I tripped and fell at a restaurant on 7/21. 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsal fracture (Lizfranc). Conveniently I broke my left ankle at the same time. I currently am seeing an orthopedic doctor. He removed the hard casts that were placed on my legs in the emergency room and put aircasts on both feet. After about 10 days I can put some weight on each foot with cast on and using a walker. Monday's x-rays showed that the bones are still alligned so no surgery. I wonder if other people have experienced more pain when the bones are not alligned. My pain has been about a 7 on a scale of 1-10. My job required travel by car and air. Right now that seems like a long time away considering the speed of my pace. I have a wheelchair but have only used that to travel outside my home to see the doctor. I, too, was amazed when I began researching this type of injury. Any comments, feed back or related experiences would be greatly appreciated. I'm also wishing all the patients on this thread a less painful path to full recovery.

Hizgrace4all · Silver Member Joined: 29 May 2007 Posts: 196

Hi wenews1,
You might want to check out my posts on 'lisfranc foot fracture stories'. I have had quite a time with mine personally. Any questions, feel free to ask. There is also a post on that site from a gentleman who had 15 screws and 2 plates, it might cast some light on the issues also for you. Let me know.

Hizgrace

Guest · Guest

I slipped and fell in my kitchen 4 days ago. I went to the er and they said it was just a sprain. I went to an ortho doc yesterday and he said basically my whole foot is dislocated and has shifted. the only way to fix it is surgery. He said i will require screws and wires in every metatarsal to re-align them. I am a paramedic and I also play roller derby. I remember my bunion surgery a few years ago was the most painful thing I ever did. I am scared that I won't be able to return to normal. The doctor said people usually don't ever recover fully from these injuries. Is there anyone else out there that has been able to play sports after surgery?

wenevs1 · Newbie Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

Update on my injury from 7/21/07. After seeing an Ortho for 13 weeks I was released to regular shoes and no restrictions. I had not had surgery. 10 days of trying to walk with flat shoes that provided arch support the swelling and pain in the right foot was unbearable. I saw a foot and ankle specialist who immediately did a weight bearing x-ray, something that had not been done during my treatment with the Ortho. It was confirmed that the 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsals where still broken and the Lisfranc joint was dislocated. 3rd metatarasl is diagnosed as a non union fracture and 2nd and 3rd are partial union. I now have a bone stimulator that I use daily for 20 minutes and an aircast on my right foot and brace on my left ankle. Started PT 3 weeks ago. Range of motion is very compromised. Last x-rays (2 weeks ago) show the first "flurry" of healing activity, although the doc says not much. Still trying to avoid surgery and have restrictions for minimum weight bearing and no more than 6 hours of work daily. My primary concern at this point is the possibility of surgery after 5 months of non surgical treatment. My pain level is still high by the end of the day. The PT excersises seem ineffective and the inability to make a contribution to my regular life is making me feel depressed. Over the holiday I was very emotional. I feel like my employer is questioning the limitations I have due to the injury. Is anyone else experiencing the emotional aspect of the long recovery?

New Lisfranc Injury

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