The Mid- and Long-Term Consequences After Surgically Treated Lisfranc Injuries: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Background Long-term follow-up data are difficult to collect, especially in uncommon foot injuries. Therefore, it is rare to find publications that include patient-reported outcomes. Therefore, a case series and systematic review are provided to evaluate mid- and long-term outcomes. Methods Patients operated for a Lisfranc injury in our hospital, between 2010 and 2016, were included. Patients were invited to fill out a combined European Foot and Ankle Score (EFAS) and Short Form (SF-12) questionnaire and to undergo an x-ray of the operated foot. In addition, a systematic review of the literature was performed, and our results were compared with that review. Results Fourteen out of 29 patients (48%, four male, 10 female) were seen at a mean follow-up of 8.3 years. Initial Hardcastle & Myerson Classification was: two A (14%); one B1 (7%); 10 B2 (71%); and one C2 (7%). Three patients underwent multiple surgeries: one external fixation followed by definitive stabilization, and two received fasciotomies (14%). The median EFAS score was 15.5, the EFAS sports score was 14, the SF-mental score was 55.73, and the SF-physical score was 48.25. There was substantial variability in outcomes between patients. 12 patients (86%) also underwent a follow-up X-ray exam, demonstrating a mean Kellgren-Lawrence score of 2.7. In the systematic review, 20 studies and 1052 feet with an average follow-up of 73 months met the inclusion criteria. Most cases underwent K-wire fixation (396 feet, 37.6%). Screw-only fixation was the next most common treatment (306 feet, 29.1%), followed by plate fixation (46 feet, 4.4%). Only three studies present primary arthrodesis in 68 (7.5%) cases. In 47 of the 686 patients (6.8%) with osteosynthesis (open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)) a secondary definitive arthrodesis of the Lisfranc joint was required later. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 75. Conclusion Patients need to be informed about the possibility of limitations of activity, including sporting activity. Mid-term follow up studies are manly limited to ORIF. No operative technique shows an advantage in the mid-term.