Wife in 5th week of LisFranc fracture/left foot....help!

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I had a lisfranc fracture oct. 16 2007. It's now dec. 16 2007. First x-rays in emergency room showed 4th metatarsal fracture only. Went to urgent care two days later, and 2nd metatarsal fracture was also found. Had healing problems and finally saw a specialist after 6 and a half weeks. That's when a lisfranc fracture was seen at the 2nd metatarsal in standing x-rays. So it's been 8 weeks and I'm still off my foot. Docter said it's to late for surgery, because of scar tissue build up. Is this true, am I screwed. I guess, just feel lucky you got the surgery.

dludwig · Newbie Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 1

It sure would be nice for anyone with something positive to say to add to this thread.
I fell playing soccer with my son 4 days ago. Just diagnosed today. Surgery is next week with screws expected.
After reading this thread, I am now scared.
I am 45 years old and always have been active.
My son is only 8 and I looked forward to years of sports, snowboarding etc. with him.
I am an optimist normally and would have been able to maintain that optimism if there had been a little more than hell to look forward too.

Hope I can come back and lift some spirits and give some hope to those who are about to join the club. Sad

Guest · Guest

As for positive...although your foot won't be the same again, it will get better. You will have less pain, and after my injury and healing process, I know that just being able to be mobile again was REALLY positive. I had my surgery a year and a half ago...went through 12 weeks in a wheelchair and all that, did PT, was able to walk again (although I still have to concentrate to walk normally (heel to toe) with that foot). My doctor just recommended a certain kind of New Balance shoe to decrease pain and help with the walking. I have had it for a week and it really helps...I didn't think it would make a difference, but I underestimated it. My doctor said to me at my last appointment that "your injury is one of the worst, and your foot isn't going to be the same again"...here I am contributing to the negativity...lol. But you will get better from the point where your are now! Keeping determined helps alot.

CuteGenes007 · Newbie Joined: 28 Jun 2008 Posts: 7

I remember well how reading the experiences of others just after my diagnosis left me feeling a bit crushed and defeated. While it was certainly disheartening to know the struggle involved in this injury, it was also comforting to know there was a community of *crips* willing to share their experiences.
I decided I was not going to let this misfortune direct all aspects of my life. I was driving with my uninjured left foot the day after my diagnosis and continued to work throughout, missing 3 days altogether (day after injury, 2 days after surgery). I'm single, living alone, and I managed to take care of all my domestic needs independently (love the crip carts at the grocery store!). This was the most difficult ordeal I've ever endured, hands down, and there were times I felt life as I knew it was a distant memory......but.....
I'm 5 mos post op now and my recovery has been excellent. I began walking 2 mos ago, and I'm already running and hiking again. I have limitations and the pain and swelling have not completely resolved, but I am enjoying an active lifestyle again. I even went whitewater rafting a month ago and plan to snowboard this winter!! In quiet moments, I am literally overcome with joy that I am once again able to enjoy the activities I love!! I know there are many factors that play into how well you'll do long term, but it is entirely possible to regain your life after a lisfranc fracture, so keep your chin up and stay determined!!!!!

bigmosur · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Posts: 10

Nice to here a light at the end of the tunnel!!!!
Thank you

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mckb · Newbie Joined: 28 Oct 2008 Posts: 1

I am a 40 year old male 5’11” and 230 lbs. I am married 12 years and have three children ages 2, 8 and 10 years. I am fairly active and my job requires me to travel and I make sales calls at rock quarries and mines where I have to walk on uneven ground up stairs, ladders and on catwalks. I have a Lisfranc injury from a fall off a PWC (Jet ski) 7-17-08. Concerned I broke something, I immediately went to ER who took x-rays and misdiagnosed a sprain. A few weeks later, in severe pain and barely able to walk, I saw my GP and he ordered MRI. It took a few weeks to schedule, read etc. He referred me to an Orthopedic Surgeon, who diagnosed a tear of the Lisfranc ligament and I had ORIF 9-16-08.

The original appointment with the orthopedic surgeon (Dr. Landaker, who did my surgery) was two weeks after the MRI’s were read (which was three weeks after they were taken) and I wanted to see someone ASAP, so I made an appointment with another orthopedist because he was able to take me right away. That was a mistake. The Lisfranc injury is difficult to diagnose and my surgeon told me only about 2% of ortho’s will diagnose it properly. The first surgeon took x-rays with me sitting on a table (NWB) and determined I had a sprain. He told me to wear a walking boot for a few weeks and return for a check up.

I saw the second orthopedic surgeon, Stephen Landaker Chico, CA a few weeks later at the scheduled appointment- I wanted a second opinion. On my first visit with Dr. Landaker he took X-rays with me standing on a box, weight bearing (WB) so he could see the separations and misalignments between the metatarsals and cuneiform bones. He took X-rays of my right (injured) and left foot in order to compare the angles of the first tarsal to metatarsal and second etc and to see the gap between the first metatarsal and the first cuneiform bones. The Lisfranc ligament normally connects the first cuneiform to the second metatarsal- forming the structure for an arch. Mine was only torn, but it nearly disabled me. Dr. Landaker explained that the improper alignment causes the bones to rub at odd angles causing pain and long term, potentially severe arthritis. He scheduled me for surgery a week later. I called the first orthopedist and cancelled my follow-up appointment.

My ORIF surgery was done 9-17-08. I was admitted overnight for pain management and to complete a course of antibiotics. During the ORIF I was under general anesthesia. Dr. Landaker placed four screws through my first and second metatarsals and first cuneiform and second metatarsal. I actually had very little pain after surgery. I had a conventional cast that was cut down both sides to allow for expansion due to swelling. This wasn’t too bad. It had a lot of packing gauze, which cushioned the sutures and it didn’t itch- much. It was tough taking a shower, but I just stuck my leg out like some kind of mutant ballet dancer (nice visual). I wore the cast for two weeks during which time I was instructed to keep my foot elevated and take ibuprofen for pain. I kept my foot up as much as possible, but stopped taking the ibuprofen a few days after surgery- except when my foot really swelled. I didn’t want to split the stitches, so I was really careful with it. When my foot swells I sit back with it elevated above my heart on a pillow. That works almost immediately.

After surgery I had very little pain. The pain I do have is related to swelling, which Dr. Landaker tells me can continue for several (up to six) months. The first week after surgery was difficult, mostly due to using crutches. They take awhile to get used to. Mine were adjusted before I was discharged from the hospital (Enloe in Chico), so I never experienced bruising under my arms. The difficulty was purely from using my arms to ambulate. My triceps and sides ached for awhile. I did have the option of renting or buying a scooter that allows the user to kneel on and push with the non injured foot. I decided it wasn’t practical. Looking back, it would have been much easier to use the scooter than to deal with the crutches. A walker would not have worked to keep me Non Weight Bearing (NWB).

I saw Dr. Landaker again two weeks after surgery. He took another set of x-rays (NWB) to confirm the correction and placement of the screws. He removed the stitches and instructed me to continue with crutches, to use a hard boot like a walking cast, to continue to use crutches, remain NWB and to keep my foot elevated.

I traveled by air for the first time on business three weeks post surgery. Dr. Landaker was concerned about me over doing it, but I had a coworker drive and I was very careful not to bear weight on my injury. He prescribed me some Vicodin, just in case. I took them with me on the trip, but only took one on the flight back. The toughest thing about flying was getting my suitcase through the airport. The flying and riding in the car was a little uncomfortable, but I elevated my foot every evening at the hotel. I did get rid of my briefcase and bought a backpack for my computer and files. I used curb-side check in so I wouldn’t have to muscle my suitcase far.

I saw Dr. Landaker again four weeks post surgery when I returned from my trip. He told me I could wear a shoe told me to remain NWB and continue with crutches. He did not take x-rays at that visit. He said everything looked good. The incision was healing and the scab was beginning to fall off.

I am six weeks post surgery now. I saw Dr. Landaker this morning and he took x-rays (WB) on the box for the first time since the ORIF. Everything is holding. I was surprised since I am up to about 240 lbs now. All of this sitting on my @*$ is not doing me any benefit there. He wrote me a prescription for custom othoses which I will have to wear for a year or longer. He told me I can begin to gradually walk this week- with the crutches at first. He also said I can ride a bike. I am looking forward to some exercise! I have very little pain and am not taking the Vicodin or Ibuprofen. There is some swelling, but I think that will improve with time and measured activity. I have an appointment to see Dr. Landaker again in six weeks. I should be able to walk easily without the aid of the crutches by then. He plans on taking out the screws six months post surgery.

The injury was very painful up until I had the surgery. I have read many cases of people with Lisfranc injuries and though I am no expert, I think I would have been seriously disabled, if I had not had the ORIF. I am very positive about the outcome and my future ability. My goal is to ride my bike and begin walking, be jogging in a few weeks/ months, and snowboarding with my wife and kids winter 2009/ 2010. I am thankful for a careful and talented surgeon and a very kind and professional staff at Enloe Hospital.

I hope this helps those of you having problems with the Lisfranc injury.

Guest · Guest

Hello to all you fellow unfortunate souls.

I broke my foot in December 2007, snapping 4 metatarsals. I had surgery in May and am still suffering from pain, swelling, and no answers. A rash is developing on my foot which completes the picture nicely.

Reading these stories is quite depressing. I had hoped that I would recover most of the ability to walk, hike, and swim quickly but here I am nearly a year later, still in pain.

Wife in 5th week of LisFranc fracture/left foot....help!

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