Lisfranc Fracture Repair in Buffalo Grove, IL
Lisfranc Fracture Repair
Lisfranc injuries occur in the middle part of the foot and involve broken bones or torn ligaments that support the midfoot. They can result from an awkward movement during athletic activity or from direct trauma such as a fall from a height or a motor vehicle accident. If you sustain a Lisfranc injury, you may experience intense swelling, pain, and bruising across the top of the foot — symptoms that should be evaluated promptly to prevent long-term complications.
If you're struggling with a Lisfranc injury, our foot and ankle specialists are here to help you get back on your feet:
Don't let a Lisfranc injury keep you from the activities you love. Our team can assess your condition and create a personalized treatment plan to restore alignment, relieve pain, and support a full recovery. Request an appointment today to take the first step toward healing.
What Is a Lisfranc Fracture Repair? How and Why It's Performed
The Lisfranc joint complex is the set of bones and ligaments that connect the forefoot to the midfoot. A Lisfranc injury — which may involve a fracture, a ligament tear, or both — disrupts this complex and can destabilize the architecture of the foot. These injuries are often underdiagnosed because they can resemble a simple sprain, but left untreated, they carry a high risk of developing post-traumatic arthritis within just a few years.
Treatment depends on the severity of the injury and whether the bones have shifted out of their normal alignment.
Nonsurgical Treatment
When the bones remain properly aligned following a Lisfranc injury, nonsurgical management may be appropriate. This typically involves immobilization in a non-weight-bearing cast for approximately six weeks to allow the ligaments and any small fractures to heal. Close follow-up during this period is essential, as the bones can shift in position even when initially well-aligned. Weight-bearing is gradually reintroduced under the supervision of your care team once healing is confirmed.
Surgical Treatment
When the ligaments are completely torn and the bones are dislocated out of position — or when initial alignment is poor — surgery is necessary to restore the normal structure of the midfoot and prevent arthritis. Depending on the pattern and severity of the injury, the surgical repair may involve:
- Internal fixation using wires, pins, or screws to hold the bones in their correct position while healing takes place.
- Screw placement across the injury to stabilize the joint when alignment cannot be reliably maintained without fixation.
At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, our Foot & Ankle Care Center offers the best, least invasive options available to relieve pain and restore function, with convenient locations in Bartlett, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, and Schaumburg. Our team will work alongside you throughout your treatment and provide a personalized rehabilitation plan to support a healthy and complete recovery.
Foot & Ankle Surgeons at BOS
Meet the podiatric foot and ankle surgeons who diagnose and treat Lisfranc injuries, including surgical fracture repair, for patients across the Barrington Orthopedic Specialists network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes a Lisfranc Injury?+
Lisfranc injuries can result from both high-energy and low-energy trauma. High-energy causes include motor vehicle accidents and falls from significant heights, which tend to produce more severe fracture-dislocations. Low-energy causes — more common in athletes — include twisting falls, direct blows to the midfoot, or seemingly minor missteps such as stepping into a hole or having the foot forcefully plantar-flexed (pointed downward). Because the mechanism can appear minor, Lisfranc injuries are frequently mistaken for ankle sprains and may go undiagnosed without appropriate imaging.
What Are the Symptoms of a Lisfranc Injury?+
Common symptoms include pain and tenderness across the top of the midfoot, swelling that may extend across the entire dorsum (top) of the foot, bruising on the bottom of the foot — which is particularly characteristic of this injury — and an inability to bear weight comfortably. Pain typically worsens with walking or standing. If you experience these symptoms following foot trauma, even if the injury seemed minor, it is important to seek prompt evaluation.
How Is a Lisfranc Injury Diagnosed?+
Diagnosis begins with a thorough physical examination, including assessments of tenderness and stability across the midfoot. X-rays are the first-line imaging study and are often taken with the patient standing to reveal any subtle widening or malalignment between the bones. In cases where X-rays are inconclusive, a CT scan or MRI may be ordered to better characterize the extent of bony and ligamentous injury and guide the treatment plan.
What Are the Treatment Options for a Lisfranc Injury?+
Treatment is determined by whether the bones remain in proper alignment. When alignment is maintained, conservative management with a non-weight-bearing cast for approximately six weeks may be sufficient, provided the patient is monitored closely for any shift in position. When alignment is disrupted — or cannot be reliably maintained — surgery is required to reposition and stabilize the bones using wires, pins, screws, or a combination of fixation devices. Untreated or inadequately treated Lisfranc injuries carry a high risk of arthritis, making early and accurate treatment essential.
What Is Recovery Like After a Lisfranc Fracture Repair?+
Recovery from a Lisfranc injury — whether treated surgically or conservatively — is typically prolonged compared to other foot injuries. Patients generally remain non-weight-bearing for six to eight weeks following surgery, after which a graduated return to weight-bearing begins with the support of a boot or brace. Physical therapy plays an important role in rebuilding strength, balance, and range of motion in the foot. Most patients can expect a recovery period of three to six months before returning to full activity, though complete resolution of symptoms may take up to a year in more complex cases. Your care team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists will provide a personalized plan to guide each stage of your recovery.