Return To Sports And Physical Activities After Open Reduction And Internal Fixation For Lisfranc Injuries In Recreational Athletes

Abstract

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: To assess participation in sport and physical activity following open reduction and internal fixation of a Lisfranc injury in a cohort of recreational athletes. Methods: Our study identified all adult patients aged 55 or less, who presented to our institution with a Lisfranc injury and underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using a Lisfranc screw combined with bridge plating technique. Sports and physical activity participation was assessed with a new sports-specific, patient-administered questionnaire. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). Results: Thirty-three patients qualified for the study (21 males/12 females). Mean age and follow-up: 31.2 (range, 18-55) years and 2.9 (range, 1.5-5.4) years, respectively. Post operatively, 31 patients (94%) were able to return to some form of sport. Twenty-two patients (66%) returned to playing sport at or above their pre injury level. Of the 11 patients who played less sport, 6 had ongoing pain, and the remaining 5 were asymptomatic but were participating less frequently due to other lifestyle reasons. In addition, of the 33 patients, 11 (33%) had some degree of ongoing pain that might limit their ability to return to sports and physical activities. There was strong correlation between overall FAOS and the Sports Questionnaire. Conclusion: The majority of patients sustaining a Lisfranc injury can return to sport and physical activity after ORIF. Patients should be counseled preoperatively that about one in three might experience continued pain at the injury site