Lisfranc Fracture Dislocation eMedicine Orthopedics

Description: Jacques Lisfranc (1790-1847) was a field surgeon in Napoleon's army serving on the Russian front. He wrote about a new amputation technique to treat forefoot gangrene from frostbite. This technique involved a route following a series of joints to avoid having to take the time to cut through bone. This route became known as the Lisfranc joint. However, Lisfranc did not actually describe the injury pattern well known by this eponym.
Although the amputation technique survives, the term is used today to describe a wide spectrum of traumatic injuries to this distinct area of the foot. A Lisfranc injury encompasses everything from a sprain to a complete disruption of normal anatomy through these joints. Early recognition and treatment of this injury are important to preserve normal foot function.
Synonyms and related keywords: tarsometatarsal injuries, TMT injuries, Lisfranc dislocation, Lisfranc injury, midfoot injury
Author: John S Early, MD 2005