Lisfranc ligament
The Lisfranc ligament is one of several ligaments which connects medial cuneiform to the second metatarsal. This connection maintains proper alignment between the metatarsal and the tarsal bones. In 20% of people there are two bands of this ligament (dorsal and plantar). Sometimes, lisfranc ligament refers specifically to the ligament that connects the superior, lateral surface of the medial cuneiform to the superior, medial surface of the base of the second metatarsal. It is injured or disrupted in the Lisfranc fracture. Trauma to the midfoot is caused by direct and indirect impact forces. Direct force involves an object landing on the surface on the foot while indirect force involves twisting of the foot, usually an impact to the heel while the foot is pointed down toward the ground.[2] A mild form of this injury results in a widening of the gap between the first and second metatarsals. An extreme form of the a Lisfranc fracture causes a complete dislocation of the metatarsals from the tarsal bones. When the alignment of the midfoot is affected joint cartilage is quickly damaged.[3]
- Lisfranc fracture, with an increased distance between the medial cuneiform and the second metatarsal.
Lisfranc ligament | |
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Lisfranc ligaments:[1] C1 = Medial cuneiform M2 = 2nd metatarsal base M3 = 3rd metatarsal base Red = dorsal Lisfranc ligament Blue = interosseous Lisfranc ligament Green = plantar Lisfranc ligament. | |
Ultrasonography of the dorsal Lisfranc ligament.[1] | |
Anatomical terminology |
Eponym
The ligament and the fracture are named after the Napoleonic army surgeon, Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin.[4]
References
- Rettedal, David D; Graves, Nathan C; Marshall, Joshua J; Frush, Katherine; Vardaxis, Vassilios (2013). "Reliability of ultrasound imaging in the assessment of the dorsal Lisfranc ligament". Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 6 (1). doi:10.1186/1757-1146-6-7. ISSN 1757-1146. PMC 3626864. PMID 23453037.
- "Lisfranc Injuries".
- "Lisfranc (Midfoot) Injury-OrthoInfo - AAOS". 1 December 2011.
- synd/3056 at Who Named It?