OBJECTIVESA retrospective study was used to evaluate the short to intermediate outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation of acute Lisfranc joint injuries.

METHODSFrom January 2003 to December 2009, 47 patients with Lisfranc injuries were treated in the study,41 patients were analyzed in current study with an average age of thirty-one years old. All of patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. According to the Myerson classification system, there were 9 type-A fractures, 7 type-B1, 11 type-B2, 10 type-C1, 5 type-C2. The AOFAS scale and VAS scale were used for the outcome measurement at the final follow-up.

RESULTSThere were 41 patients with 42 operations were followed up and with a mean time of 36 months (ranged, 12 to 71 months). The mean AOFAS score was (84.2 +/- 2.8) points (ranged, 65 to 100 points), with an excellent and good rate of 81 percent. The mean VAS score was (2.6 +/- 0.5) points (ranged, 0 to 6 points). Three patients developed superficial infection, and two developed skin necrosis. Nineteen patients had weight-bearing or walking pain. All of the patients had radiographic evidence of degenerative change, four with malunion of the second tarsometatarsal joint, and two of the patients with hallux valgus deformity change.

CONCLUSIONAccording to the results of the study, anatomic reduction and internal fixation can get the satisfactory results for the treatment of acute Lisfranc injuries during a short to intermediate follow-up time. All of the patients would have different degree of tarsometatarsal joint degenerative changes, but these changes are non-progressive and associated with minimal loss of function.