Hello everyone! Anytime I google Lisfranc related things I always get links to this message board so I finally signed up so I could ask for advice! First, here's my story:
Back in October 08 I was in my neighbors' yard and stepped in a small foot sized hole that was along a tree root and fell, and my mid foot was pressed directly against that tree root and I cracked off the corner of my medial cuneiform and dislocated my first two metatarsals. The ER I went to gave me a walking boot that didn't fit and a pair of crutches that were too short and referred me to a foot & ankle doctor, which is where I found out how severe my injury was and that it was a Lisfranc injury.
I was put into a fiberglass short leg cast with a walking heel for a month, and when it was taken off the x-ray revealed that my foot had gotten worse and that there was a severe separation between my first two cuneiforms and that my metatarsals were still dislocated so my doctor decided that I need an open reduction internal fixation surgery, and 4 days later he put two screws into my foot. That was...November 21, 2008, I think. Between then I was in a post op splint, and two different short leg fiberglass casts until December 22nd or 23rd, all non weight bearing, and then had a FG walking cast until January 12th of this year. After that I was given a...solid soled velcro shoe that kind of looks like a sandal, not sure what it's called.
Which brings me to to my current problem. Well, I have several issues, but at the moment it's about finding shoes. I'm still in constant pain, and can't walk right at all. My doctor told me I still didn't need to be bending my foot and suggested that since I'm self-pay that I try to find either a stiff soled shoe/supportive shoe, or get a regular shoe and get a good insole and put in it. The only thing I have at the moment is the velcro sandal thing, but it's a cheap piece of c**p and isn't meant to be worn as a shoe on a regular basis.
I went to a large shoe store and had them help me try to find some shoes but I had absolutely no luck finding one that fit or that didn't hurt the top of my foot. I already had wide feet, and even on my foot's best days with little to no swelling the top where the large incision was has a lot of extremely painful scar tissue that I can't stand to be touched, much less pushed down into a shoe. My foot is also kind of...I don't know what to call it. My foot doesn't sit flat and such. They probably brought me 20 different shoes and nothing worked.
Just on a whim I decided to slide on my pair of crocs (caymens) and found that they felt pretty good on my bad foot, but I know that because they're so flexible wearing them I'm probably risking breaking my screws by wearing them. I've been researching the CrocsRx (crocsrx.com/) and the Crocs Work shoes (crocs.com/work/) as a possibility. I believe the Rx are more geared toward diabetics but they're apparently good for other foot issues as well, and the professional shoes are supposedly stiffer soled with more arch support. I've searched and searched to find anything about those particular shoes and Lisfranc injuries but haven't been able to find anything. We're too rare, I guess. Has anyone tried or had success with any of the kinds of crocs?
I welcome all advice and suggestions. I'm trying to find something that will help me walk with less pain that doesn't cost a fortune.
Also, I'm all ears to anyone with an opinion about whether or not my screws should come out. I've had them between 5 and 6 months and my doctor has told me that they don't need to come out and that it's no big deal if they break...which sounds crazy to me. He also told me that because I'm not athletic that I don't need to worry about them coming out. I can barely walk and nearly cry anytime I step on anything uneven. He doesn't really listen to me, but I don't know if it's because he doesn't know what he's talking about or if it's because I don't have insurance. Like I mentioned above I'm in CONSTANT pain, my foot is incredibly stiff, I have severe pain anytime there's pressure on my midfoot, and my foot feels extremely unstable.
Again, all advice and opinions are greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance!! Sorry about the novel I wrote ;).
Back in October 08 I was in my neighbors' yard and stepped in a small foot sized hole that was along a tree root and fell, and my mid foot was pressed directly against that tree root and I cracked off the corner of my medial cuneiform and dislocated my first two metatarsals. The ER I went to gave me a walking boot that didn't fit and a pair of crutches that were too short and referred me to a foot & ankle doctor, which is where I found out how severe my injury was and that it was a Lisfranc injury.
I was put into a fiberglass short leg cast with a walking heel for a month, and when it was taken off the x-ray revealed that my foot had gotten worse and that there was a severe separation between my first two cuneiforms and that my metatarsals were still dislocated so my doctor decided that I need an open reduction internal fixation surgery, and 4 days later he put two screws into my foot. That was...November 21, 2008, I think. Between then I was in a post op splint, and two different short leg fiberglass casts until December 22nd or 23rd, all non weight bearing, and then had a FG walking cast until January 12th of this year. After that I was given a...solid soled velcro shoe that kind of looks like a sandal, not sure what it's called.
Which brings me to to my current problem. Well, I have several issues, but at the moment it's about finding shoes. I'm still in constant pain, and can't walk right at all. My doctor told me I still didn't need to be bending my foot and suggested that since I'm self-pay that I try to find either a stiff soled shoe/supportive shoe, or get a regular shoe and get a good insole and put in it. The only thing I have at the moment is the velcro sandal thing, but it's a cheap piece of c**p and isn't meant to be worn as a shoe on a regular basis.
I went to a large shoe store and had them help me try to find some shoes but I had absolutely no luck finding one that fit or that didn't hurt the top of my foot. I already had wide feet, and even on my foot's best days with little to no swelling the top where the large incision was has a lot of extremely painful scar tissue that I can't stand to be touched, much less pushed down into a shoe. My foot is also kind of...I don't know what to call it. My foot doesn't sit flat and such. They probably brought me 20 different shoes and nothing worked.
Just on a whim I decided to slide on my pair of crocs (caymens) and found that they felt pretty good on my bad foot, but I know that because they're so flexible wearing them I'm probably risking breaking my screws by wearing them. I've been researching the CrocsRx (crocsrx.com/) and the Crocs Work shoes (crocs.com/work/) as a possibility. I believe the Rx are more geared toward diabetics but they're apparently good for other foot issues as well, and the professional shoes are supposedly stiffer soled with more arch support. I've searched and searched to find anything about those particular shoes and Lisfranc injuries but haven't been able to find anything. We're too rare, I guess. Has anyone tried or had success with any of the kinds of crocs?
I welcome all advice and suggestions. I'm trying to find something that will help me walk with less pain that doesn't cost a fortune.
Also, I'm all ears to anyone with an opinion about whether or not my screws should come out. I've had them between 5 and 6 months and my doctor has told me that they don't need to come out and that it's no big deal if they break...which sounds crazy to me. He also told me that because I'm not athletic that I don't need to worry about them coming out. I can barely walk and nearly cry anytime I step on anything uneven. He doesn't really listen to me, but I don't know if it's because he doesn't know what he's talking about or if it's because I don't have insurance. Like I mentioned above I'm in CONSTANT pain, my foot is incredibly stiff, I have severe pain anytime there's pressure on my midfoot, and my foot feels extremely unstable.
Again, all advice and opinions are greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance!! Sorry about the novel I wrote ;).
I have all the same problems as you. Fell on 3/15/07, luckily, the only pressure I put on my foot was walking into the hospital and they gave me crutches and said to stay off of it. The ER doctor originally said it was a sprained ankle. That same week I was diagnosed with the lis franc fracture in my left foot by an orthopedic surgeon. I broke the 2nd and 3rd metatarsals. I had surgery to insert 2 pins on 3/31/07. That doctor said the pins could stay in. I was in too much pain and I wanted them out so I went to another orthopedic surgeon who took them out on 9/30/07. I still had the pain. On 3/31/08, a new podiatrist who was highly recommended, operated again. I still have the pain. I've been to physical therapy twice, which insurance claims is experimental so they don't cover it. By this time, the nerves in my foot were basically being stimulated all the time, and not in a good way. The pain of the shockwaves that go through my foot when anything touches that scar is enough to reduce me to tears. On 12/31/08 another podiatrist cut the nerve in my foot trying to alleviate this issue. It didn't work. As far as shoes go... if you find some that don't hurt, please tell me what kind they are. :-D I'm actually wearing Uggs right now, with a sock on so that scar doesn't rub against the boot. It hurts a lot when I put my foot in or take it out of the Ugg, but during the day I actually get around pretty well. The best is to walk around bare foot... but the problem with this is that the bottom of my foot starts to hurt a lot. I can't wait for summer so I can wear flip flops. The flip flops feel good because my foot can spread; it almost seems like maybe my foot is wider after all this. However, all of my doctors do not like me to wear flip flops. They say a tennis shoe, but the problem is that my foot keeps swelling so I can't confine my foot to that small space. Every once in awhile, I do stupid things like wear heels. Unless you can stay off your foot for about 24-48 hours after this, I don't recommend you wear heels. Sometimes I want to be feminine, but after this injury, I pay the price for wearing heels. Needless to say, that happens about once every 3 months.
Sorry to hear about all of your trouble. I have been dealing with the lisfranc drama since July and I can definitely think of more ways I would of liked to spend my summer. Shoes wise I have had a lot of success with skate shoes. The soles are flat and hard, the thickness of the cushion around the ankle is supportive and the tongue is giant so you should be able to adjust the laces to ease up on some of the pressure on the top of your foot. I would also recommend doing some stretching, soaking and manipulating your foot to try to relieve some pain and stiffness. I know you mentioned not having insurance, but the things I do in physical therapy could easily be done at home. Honestly it's not easy, it might hurt and be frustrating but if I don't do my excercises my foot immediately starts to tighten up and ache.I'm getting my screws out in December and I am excited about it. I've heard different things but my doc was pretty certain they were only temporary. I am athletic so that might be why, but I couldn't imagine having them stay in. They keep your foot in such an awkward position it's not surprising you feel unstable. I hope this helps and finds you in better health and spirits!
I had a lisfranc fracture a year ago, but mine wasn't very bad at all. My doctor suggested the skechers shape ups because they are much like a boot with the rounded sole and they will keep your foot from bending.
Hi there, So sorry to hear you are having so much trouble. I too, have seriously struggled with finding shoes to wear after my awful lisfranc fracture. As a bit of a fashionista it has been devastating to know that "high heels" and trendy shoes are off the list for me forever. I have had success with the Sketchers shape-ups but they're only good for working out, physio, or walking. You can't really pair them with a summer dress or a business suit. I have also had good luck with NAOT sandals. Although they are not the sexiest shoes out there they do help since they are a stiff sole and orthotics can be made and put in the shoe with minimal obviousness. I have not had to look for fall or winter shoes or boots yet and I am dreading this but I think that with current styles of flat, ballet-style shoes and low/no heel scrunchy boots or lace ups I should be able to find some decent stuff. Best place to find better shoes for me has been Walking On A Cloud, SoftMoc, Naturalizer, etc. You're definitely going to have to pay more for shoes - NAOT's are about 150 minimum and Clarks or Rockports are at least 200 each. Flip flops work temporarily but I think you'll find that you need more support. I hope this helps a bit. Do yourself the favor of getting proper shoes, your foot, back, hips will thank you. Hope this helps.
Thanks to all of the posters to this topic....
I read with interest your experiences and challenges with regard to footwear once FWB
This is a topic we are currently exploring at the Lisfranc Fracture Club on Facebook - so it would be great if you could 'drop in' and add your advice for our Members
IMO, what Lisfranc-ers want, and need, above all, is to find 'normal' people with personal experience of Lisfranc who can give an insight into what lies ahead AND hope that they will eventually get to a position where the injury can be 'coped with'
>>>> gradually I started to find the right people, through blogs, youtube, forums such as this, and decided to pull together a group of such people to make it easier for new Lisfranc-ers to find the RIGHT sort of info
>>> we would love to have you and people like you 'on-board'
the CLUB is on Facebook - search for Lisfranc Fracture Club
- very best regards & LOOK AFTER THAT FOOT!!
I was chasing a run away golf cart with my 2 grandchildren on it and I was in flip flops with heels. Some how when I grab a hold of the golf cart I was thrown in the air and flipped twice then landed on the side of my body, I did not realize that I had broke my foot, one of which I had broke back in the 6th grade and I am now 50. My foot immediately became swollen and my 3 toes from the middle toe to the little toe had been dislocated and was laying almost on the side of my foot. When I sent to the ER I was told that it was broken and was given a boot but they could not get the boot on my foot because of the way it was shaped from the break, so they splint it and I was referred to an Orthopedic doctor. When seen by the Orthopedic doctor I was informed that I had what was called a Lisfranc Fracture, of which he has heard of but never seen before, so he consulted with another doctor. It was decided that Dr. Tankersley would do surgery 3 days later to stabilize the bone that had a jagged break, they surgery was done on a Friday, the following Friday Dr. Jakkalo did the major surgery of when he put the 3 toes back on their pedestal and secured them with pins, repaired the jagged break and secured it with a plate, and my big toe with separated from the bone so he secured that with screws. I was told I could not bear any weight on my foot for 3 months. The accident happened on July 31, 2015, I was in the hospital with a blood clot in my lung and one in my right thigh on August 31, 2015, I had to see a vascular doctor because of the size of the clot, I was suppose to had surgery in December of 2015 to take the screws out, that didn't happen until March 2016. My problem has also been shoes, now that I will never be able to were open toe sandals or flip flops again, and the reason for that is because the blood clot in my thigh destroyed the flaps in my vessels so that they don't open and close, they are suppose to close when relaxing or setting and open when walking, mine remain open and causes blood not to circulate to the foot and back to the heart like it is suppose to and the blood pools in my leg causing swelling so in order to elevate that I have to wear compression hose, it does not completely help but it help them from swelling as big as they do without them. I have found that the New Balance walking shoe tend to help give some comfort, however because I have extensive nerve damage nothing really seems to help. Good luck in your search.
The only shoes I have found that don't hurt are rocker bottom shoes, skechers or Alegria work best. I too suffered a severe ankle/foot and midfoot sprain with lisfranc fracture of 1st - 3rd metatarsals. I had surgery with 8 screws placed and 12 years later am still in constant pain, with 'lightning' electric shock pain up and down my leg. I can't jog, run, and have difficulty with stairs. I still take MS Morphine just to take the edge off. It sucks!
I had a very bad Lisfranc injury 5.5 years ago (tripped over my dog). After hospitalization, physical therapy, wheelchair, then boots, etc., I asked my orthopedic surgeon for a recommendation for when the screws were removed, and he recommended Birkenstocks, which now come in a variety of styles. They work! I have tried several other brands, including many German brands (Baer, Finn Comfort, etc.) and brands such as Dansko, Wolky, and Wanda Panda. I've had success with all of them, but the most success with Birks (I have Florida, Granada, Arizona, plus boots). My foot still gives out (post-traumatic arthritis?), but less so with Birks. I walked all over Europe in Dansko Chantal, and bought more Birks in Hamburg. I was so happy when I found a pair of Birks boots for winter!
My doctor (by the time I went to an ortho foot surgeon and not a podiatrist who had no clue what he was doing, sadly) said that I had too much scar tissue for surgery on mine, I would just have to deal with the injuries as they were. He recommended a top-of-the-line New Balance shoe (at the time it was $220ish) because it had a very stiff sole and very stiff shoe covering, so it acted like the walking boot I was in for 7 weeks.
After the New Balance felt too hard/stiff for my foot and caused pain (after wearing for several months) I went to a running shoe store where they watched me walk, heard about my injury, assessed my gait, and everything else they do. They put me in an Asics Gel Kayano (21 I think, at the time?) and it was like TOOTSIE HEAVEN!! They had the perfect stability in the sole, wide enough toe box, but most importantly a tight/snug enough shoelace (whatever that part of the shoe is called LOL) to not cause me to feel like there are razor blades implanted into the bones and muscles. Been in Asics ever since! Not sure if those Hoja shoes are any good for long term wear (they felt great when I tried them on but went with the Asics), but I am now on a very limited budget and I mostly wear them all day every day to work (I walk around on cement all day) so Asics have been my lifesavers, in case they help you too. If I had more money I would experiment with different brands but for my everyday work and walking shoe, it's the Asics.
After the New Balance felt too hard/stiff for my foot and caused pain (after wearing for several months) I went to a running shoe store where they watched me walk, heard about my injury, assessed my gait, and everything else they do. They put me in an Asics Gel Kayano (21 I think, at the time?) and it was like TOOTSIE HEAVEN!! They had the perfect stability in the sole, wide enough toe box, but most importantly a tight/snug enough shoelace (whatever that part of the shoe is called LOL) to not cause me to feel like there are razor blades implanted into the bones and muscles. Been in Asics ever since! Not sure if those Hoja shoes are any good for long term wear (they felt great when I tried them on but went with the Asics), but I am now on a very limited budget and I mostly wear them all day every day to work (I walk around on cement all day) so Asics have been my lifesavers, in case they help you too. If I had more money I would experiment with different brands but for my everyday work and walking shoe, it's the Asics.
I trod on a hole hidden in grass that had smashed concrete in it and ended up with a lisfranc fracture , that was back in Sept.
I have had the screws taken out and walk much better with the help of physio, but it did seem to leave me with a slight limp, but ok now.
I am having trouble finding the right footwear, I've researched lots but just go around in circles.
Any advise please
I have had the screws taken out and walk much better with the help of physio, but it did seem to leave me with a slight limp, but ok now.
I am having trouble finding the right footwear, I've researched lots but just go around in circles.
Any advise please