The Lisfranc joint is composed of five TMT joints in which the first through third MTs articulate with their corresponding medial, middle, and lateral cuneiforms, whereas the fourth and fifth MTs articulate with the cuboid. Functionally, the Lisfranc joint can be divided longitudinally into three columns, as follows:
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Medial column, or first ray
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Middle column, consisting of the second and third TMT joints
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Lateral column, consisting of the fourth and fifth TMT joints
A transverse line through these joints is not straight but highlights a recess, termed the keystone (much as in a Roman arch), that is formed by the second TMT joint. This joint lies approximately 1 cm proximal to the first TMT joint line and 0.5 cm proximal to the third TMT joint line.
The joints are bound by thick plantar ligaments that form an interlocking pattern between the tarsal and lesser MT bones 2-5. These are reinforced by attachments of the posterior tibialis tendon. The first TMT joint also has strong plantar ligaments across the joint; these are reinforced by the attachment of the peroneus longus and anterior tibialis tendons.
Also present between the lesser MTs is a series of intermetatarsal ligaments, which force the group to function more as a unit. No intermetatarsal ligaments exist between the first and second MTs, which is why they often exhibit divergent behavior. The weaker dorsal ligaments explain the majority of dorsal dislocations. [2]
The Lisfranc ligament originates from the plantar lateral aspect of the medial cuneiform and attaches to the plantar medial aspect of the second MT base. It is the thickest of the ligaments in this region, measuring up to 1 cm wide. This ligament provides the only soft-tissue link between the medial ray and the lesser MT and is responsible for this area's stability.
Motion at the TMT joints is variable. The second and third joints are the stiffest, with minimal motion in the dorsal or plantar plane and none in the medial or lateral plane. The third and first TMT joints exhibit progressively more motion in both planes but still are relatively stiff and mainly function as areas of adjustment to allow the MT heads to share weight equally.
The lateral two TMT joints demonstrate roughly three times more motion in the dorsal or plantar plane than the first TMT joint does. That motion is significant in the function of the foot and must be preserved to maintain normal function, especially if stiffness occurs in the medial and middle columns.
In the column theory, the middle column is more important for rigidity, and the medial and lateral columns are more important for shock absorption during gait. The lateral joints are more important for their mobile contributions to the balancing of forefoot weightbearing. This principle is important in treating these injuries.
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Radiograph illustrating diabetic patient with first ray instability of the right foot. The articular surfaces of the second and first metatarsal are level in the transverse plane, indicating proximal migration of the first ray. The left foot shows the advanced stage of an untreated Lisfranc injury with similar first ray instability.
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Clinical identification of typical plantar ecchymosis pattern observed in Lisfranc injuries.
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In this anteroposterior radiograph of a Lisfranc dislocation, note the disruption of the normal second tarsometatarsal alignment.
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In this lateral radiograph of a typical Lisfranc injury, note the malalignment of the metatarsal bases with the midfoot.
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In this medial oblique radiograph of a normal foot, note the medial borders of the cuboid and fourth metatarsal base. They should be even, as depicted by the black lines.
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In this medial oblique radiograph of a Lisfranc injury, note the loss of alignment between the cuboid and fourth metatarsal base (black lines). This is diagnostic of a Lisfranc injury and is as important as recognition of the second tarsometatarsal instability.
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Stress view. This patient, with a suspected Lisfranc injury, presents with a normal appearing anteroposterior radiograph of the foot. Plantar ecchymosis and clinical presentation of pain warrant further investigation. In this radiograph, alignment of the medial border of the second metatarsal and the medial cuneiform is near normal. Patient is unable to bear weight due to a femur fracture sustained in the same accident.
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In this stressed view, with adequate anesthesia to the patient, the foot is stressed in a medial/lateral plane. The forefoot is forced laterally with the hindfoot brought medially. Note that the second tarsometatarsal joint opens up, and the normal alignment between the medial border of the second metatarsal base and the middle cuneiform is distorted. This injury requires surgical stabilization.
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Standard anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates a Lisfranc fracture dislocation. Determining the extent of fracture involving the joint is difficult with plain radiographs.
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CT scan in the coronal plane can demonstrate the extent of injury at the joint. Compare with the plain radiograph of this injury in the related image. Note the plantar avulsion, suggesting severe disruption of the plantar ligamentous structures.
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This diagram depicts the suggested fixation order of placement and alignment of screws for surgical fixation of unstable Lisfranc injuries.
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Preoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates a Lisfranc dislocation.
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Preoperative lateral radiograph demonstrates a Lisfranc dislocation.
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Postoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates reduction and fixation of Lisfranc dislocation.
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Postoperative lateral radiograph illustrates placement of fixation screws for stabilization of Lisfranc joint.
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Preoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates a Lisfranc injury with proximal tarsal instability. The medial cuneiform is displaced medially, bringing the joint line level with the second. The proximal anatomy must be restored and stabilized before addressing the tarsometatarsal joint.
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Postoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates restoration of normal midfoot alignment. Screw fixation was used to stabilize the cuneiform prior to realigning the Lisfranc joint. Due to comminution of the second and third metatarsal shafts, Kirschner wires were used to hold their position. In this case, due to continued instability, a wire through the fourth tarsometatarsal joint was also used.
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Preoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates a Lisfranc injury with associated distal fracture. Note the displacement of the base of the first metatarsal.
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Postoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates fixation of the metatarsal, as well as stabilization of the Lisfranc joint.
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Preoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrates a missed old Lisfranc injury with subsequent valgus foot deformity and painful weight bearing throughout the midfoot.
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Preoperative lateral radiograph demonstrates loss of plantar integrity through Lisfranc joint area. The normal linear alignment of the bones from the metatarsal to the talus is lost, with a sag at the tarsometatarsal joint.
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In this postoperative anteroposterior radiograph demonstrating reduction of Lisfranc alignment and screw configuration for tarsometatarsal fusion, note that only the medial 3 joints are fused. The lateral 2 joints remain mobile and actually open up when compared with the previous pictures.
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Postoperative lateral radiograph demonstrates restoration of alignment with tarsometatarsal fusion.
