Physical Therapy and Lisfranc Fracture

I sure hope so. My foot is very tight. The scar tissue is something I work everyday. I use jojoba oil and I massage deeply. My PT said she could tell I had been breaking it up. It is huge and thick down the inside of my foot and then the inside same ankle. The swelling is still an issue of course and I do a lot of cryo-boot time. I was doing ice baths but those suck compared to the boot. If anyone has never heard of a cryo-boot for icing your injury they have them on amazon. My friend lent me hers and I love it, I am now allowed to walk barefoot around the house with my walker and in a shoe for an hour here and there until I am OK in it all day. It is not the greatest since I haven't walked again in months so I am trying to get the strength and motion back. I am hoping to get to my rec center for the pool, walking the lazy river there when it is a kid free zone. And the bike like you suggested. I am ready to be as normal as I can. I just want to get back on with my life. I have had enough sitting with my foot up. I am sure others have had their orif and then fusion in the same year. I haven't walked for 6 total months out of the last 14. That is what is so hard. The sitting, the waiting, the pain. I am so over this. Thank you so much for discussing your experience with all of us. We all need a boost now and then.

Congrats to you for such a wonderful recovery thus far. That's awesome. I was not an athlete by any means and my screws are permanent. I often wondered why some keep them and most get them taken out. But I would be happy going back to the life I had of walking the neighbor hood. Walking with no pain to the car. I dream of walking the Denver Zoo again and going to the Renaissance Festival. All things I cannot do now, nor was able to since Jan 1st 2012. I just had fusion done so I am hoping I recover in a way that lets me do just those simple things again. I was losing weight and getting healthy 6 months before my lisfranc and now after sitting for over a year and not being able to go far walking and if I did it was at the speed of a snail, I gained all my weight back. I am so ready to get back out there. I am not a runner, but I couldn't even jog let alone walk. I hope you get to where you are fully healed. Thank you for sharing with us. The thread is still active and people check in, or new people arrive so keep letting us know how it is going. It sure helps me to hear your story. :)

Sorry to be so slow to respond to my original post. Just today got the message that I could post but see that my original post was up for some time. In a nutshell, please keep the faith! I am now 9 months post original fracture and surgery. I had 2 pins and one permanent screw as well as what's called a gastronemius release of the calf muscle. As noted in my original post, I had the good fortune to have a great surgeon. I can honestly say, go slow!!! Every time I got antsy and pushed myself too far, I had a relapse and had to go back into the boot, back on crutches, etc. Expect a lot of weakness when rehabbing the foot. I was completely non-weight bearing for 12 full weeks (yes, 3 months). When put in the boot, my leg was so weak I could hardly walk and used crutches for quite some time. Basically, you loose strength faster than you rebuild it. Again, use everything - massage, acupuncture, vitamins, ice, heat, whatever gives you comfort. I too had lost 25 lbs prior to injury and had just bought a new treadmill. So much for that!!! LOL! But am now doing upper body exercise and finding it helpful for keeping my mood up! I can report that I am now walking without assistance but with a rigid metal orthotic in my tennis shoe. Some pain but not really bad. My injury was rather mild (5 fractures, displacement but treated promptly) but I believe the real healing takes at least a 18 months or more. Bones mend quickly, soft tissue not so much. I haven't had much in the way of physical therapy but my massage therapist has really helped in keeping the rest of my body stretched out and limber which in turn has kept the leg from really contracting up. And if you can find a hobby to keep your mind occupied (mine was knitting and crochet) dive into it. You will feel so much better mentally while you let nature mend! Best of luck to everyone and know that you can heal and improve!

Hi everyone,

My name is Vincent Jackson. As you all, I also have been diagnosed with a "LISFRANC Fracture". I am 21 years of age with a very active lifestyle that was halted Job,School,ect what people my age do..). I obtained my injury during a head on collision with a van. The Driver was 74 years old and was driving on the wrong side of the two lane Highway(State Road 6 in Florida). The accident happened Jan 18, 2013 and I am now 6 weeks past the incident. The Fracture was sustained to my left foot which required surgery and both my ankles we also fractured. Non surgical treatment was given to my right ankle and my left foot was given a plate and screw with 4 additional pins. Painful experience, but I am fortunate and blessed to be alive given the circumstances of the accident. My doctor has recently given me x-rays on my 6 week mark and my foot alignment is looking well. I was subscribed with a boot on my right foot to begin weight bearing. Unfortunetly my Lisfranc fracture foot is still unable to bear weight but my pins were finally removed and I can actually start to do minimum movement of my foot. This was all good news for me since I have been restricted to be in the wheel chair with both of my legs out of commission. I am to begin PT with my boot on with my right leg. I know it is a long road to recovery but being patient and thankful for life has been my key to sanity thus far. Its been really helpful looking over everyone else's stories. I wish all who sustain an injury as such a speedy recovery.

 

God Bless

My 16 yr old son suffered soccer injury Oct 2012, not diagnosed for 3 months until Jan 2013 decided to do surgery Feb 1st 2013, they did open reduction cleaned up joint( because it already had scar tissue) inserted 1 screw between 1st and 2nd met... gets cast off this week Mar 27th is 8 weeks out. thank you for posting something positive, his is a mild sprain but the misdiagnosis was the problem. Surgeon said 5 weeks ago "that in 3 months he thinks we will be really glad we had this procedure done". The crutch sentence is getting to him. He gets his screw out beginning of May. Did you do any water therapy, or what therapy helped you the most. Any other suggestions, he really wants to play soccer in HS this fall, Doc initally said it is a 6 month recovery, but after reading many blogs it seems more like a year. Second opinion doc told him Lisfranc was career ending, broke his heart and mine. Decided there was no where but up to go from there, Also on your orthotic did you have a turf plate, or dancers pad? Do you still wear the orthotic on one or both feet daily? Thanks a million for your post, I think he will also pursue PT in his future. Sally

I actually only flexed and extended my ankle for a long time - 6 months. My surgeon was very picky about keeping everything in alignment until the soft tissues healed to hold the bones in place. Now at 9 months, I am walking on a treadmill and doing weight bearing exercises to rebuild the calf muscles and small muscles of the foot. Honestly though, the best thing I do regularly is a stretching routine with my massage therapist that not only stretches my upper and lower body but is designed to stretch the ankle, foot and toes as well. It is called Active Isolated Stretching and you might be able to find a practitioner in your area on the internet. If not contact me again and I can give you my therapist name and she may be able to help you via email, phone or to find someone. I truly believe it stretches out the contracted scar tissue in the foot that can cause pain once healing has occurred. Good luck to you and your son. He is lucky to have such a proactive mom!

Forgot to answer your question about orthotic. Not sure what a turf plate or dancers pad is but my orthotic was made specifically like this. There is a carbon graphite plate custom made to my foot that is separate from the more flexible orthotic that is more like a "Mary Jane" shoe - not a flat cushion but it cups a bit around my heel and instep area. This way I can add and subtract the metal plate when my foot needs more support. Now at 9 months, I seldom need the metal plate. Like I might use it when I travel and walk a lot in the airport. I have now, at 9 months, been able to walk around the house barefoot!!!! This is a godsend. But I tried this at 6 months and it didn't go well. Flared up pain. I also invested in some very expensive sneakers - like $300- that lace up, no velcro, and went to a shoe store that had perthodist on staff. I really got a custom fit. But I think it was really worth the money. Hope this helps.

My severe lisfrac injury with multiple dislocations and fractures was in 1997. Today, I still suffer with pain daily. Recently, I was told that I will need another surgery and have a second surgical consultation with one of the top foot and ankle specialist at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. I have continued working but it's getting more difficult to function each day. EVERYTHING is controlled by my foot pain. I had an ORIF in 1997 and then several hardware removals, insertions, ect. We have treated in conservatively that past five years by doing cortisone shots under anesthesia and fluoroscope. However, the winter months are difficult in Maryland and it's that time of year again. I'm seriously considering moving because of the horrible arthritis and pain. I wish my news were brighter. BUT when I think back and how the surgeon was unsure if her could save/repair the foot...and now today, I'm able to walk without crutches or a cane...I'm scared to go through any further surgeries:-(

All these posts are great sharing! I just had lisfranc surgery. Had it on February 5th and operation on 12th March 2015. Currently the sensation of my toes are coming back And I believe the sensation is getting better. Have to eat pain killers (definitely helped a lot) and hoping to recover soon in another 8 weeks. How does doctors take out the k wires? Just wondering..

I had a really bad wreck on May 8, 2014 where the breaks on my car gave out and I ended up hitting a tree, I was mashing the breaks so hard that I broke a lot of bones in my foot. The ER Dr. said it was the worst he had ever seen. So there I was never had a broken bone and facing the possibility of surgery. The following Monday I met my Orthopedic Surgeon, he was very clear that if I did have this surgery I probably would never walk properly again.So I cried and finally decided to have the surgery. I broke 4 metatarsal bones in the center of my foot and it was gonna involve me to have 5 pins and 3 rods put in and I had the internal and external fixations but in also...it was so scary to me! I had always been a very active and energetic person...but after this I fell into a deep depression but I have struggled with that before in my life bc I'm bipolar. At the time I was 28 and I have an associates degree but I've always waited tables and bartender bc I was good at it so I knew I would never be able to do that again, never be able to wear heels, never be able to run again...well all that started eating at me. I gained 40 pounds because I wasn't able to really walk and all I was doing is eating. I finally had the fixation took out. My Orthopedic Surgeon never said anything about physical therapy. It's two years later and I'm still in a bad place...I pray about the situation everyday and I know it could be a lot worse but sometimes I just can't help but being down. I haven't been able to find a job that I can hold down and have tried to get disability until I'm comfortable enough to drive again but I've been denied twice already and I can't find a lawyer that will take my case because of my age (only 30). I mean I honestly want to work but my back and pelvis are extremely messed up bc the way I'm forced to walk a most on the side of my foot and as I mentioned I'm terrified to drive since the wreck. My Orthopedic Surgeon said I should come back and maybe get my bones fused back together but I'm kinda scared bc I don't want it to be worse. Thanks for letting me share my story and if anyone has have the fusion on the bones please reply and let me know the results! Wish the best to you all.~Ashley

I have been in the same pain for the past 10 years and have had two fusions. Exact same injury as you and I as well have been able to remain sane due to my faith. All of my 30's I have lived in so much pain and I am now 38 and ready to file for disability. I feel like people don't believe the pain I am in because you can't see it. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

Hi jodee, my name is jai i live in a place called port douglas in australia, I broke 3 metatarsals lis franc and something i think they call a cuniform if that makes any sense, Im seven months now after surgery, only one pin inserted and thankfully left in, have been back at work for around twelve weeks, being a chef to stand all day this was a break I did not need or want, its hard.
doing five hr shifts now one day on one day off. Painful at the end just standing, My foot swells and is bruised when I get home, Is this normal ?

So I've been reading a lot as you have.. my injury was on 10/26/2016, I had surgery on 11/1/2016, i had a splint for about 2 weeks after surgery, then had my stitches removed and was put into an a cast for about a month, then i was in a air cast, started to do some weight bearing probably around early december, i did 10 day one crutch then 10 with none and i was full weight bearing, felt fine, i was cruising in my boot lol, i started PT on 12/29/2016 and I've been going once a week since. I'm 20 weeks post and i just got off the phone with my doctor because i'm having a lot of pain in the top part of my foot where my toes meet the rest of my foot, right across the top; it doesnt hurt just sitting but when i put pressure on it, there's a sharp pain upon releasing pressure.. my PT thinks that it's odd and i shouldn't be feeling pain, nor should i be limping; yet i'm limping because my calf has no muscle in it- not enough to lift my whole body weight (160 ish) in order to take a step with my other foot.. i'm confused on this because i see some people are walking and even running by now while others talk about life long pain and several surgeries.. im going to request trying water therapy and then just working on stretching as much as i can for now and try to focus on the walking part once im more comfortable. i can go up steps but i cant go down, i have to go down one by one only because my ankle doesnt have the movement you need to bend in order to take the step down. any suggestions or anyone experiencing the same type of pain, i would like to hear about it.

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oh and forgot to mention, i had 3 large screws placed going straight across my right foot from inside to out.

do you still have a compression stocking or a ted stocking? i sometimes wear mine when my swelling is bad.. alot massage it, ice it, keep it up when it bothers you. and talk to your doctor if none of that helps.