Lisfranc Injuries and Bunions: 2 Common Foot Problems

Your foot is a complex structure. It contains nearly a quarter of all the bones in your body along with 33 joints and over 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments. At NY Foot Health, we know this means there are opportunities for many disorders and injuries to occur that can affect your comfort and the ability to complete basic daily tasks. Below are two common conditions and how to treat them.

Lisfranc Injuries

Lisfranc refers to a joint and accompanying ligament that is found at the point where the metatarsal bones (the long bones leading up to your toes) and the tarsal bones (the bones in the arch of your foot) connect. There are three different types of Lisfranc Injuries, which can occur separately or in combination:

  • Fractures of the Lisfranc joint which may be a complete break or an avulsion fracture where a small piece of bone is pulled off

  • Dislocation of the joint bones

  • Sprains to the Lisfranc ligaments

Diagnosis and Treatment

Lisfranc injuries may be the result of a direct or indirect trauma on the foot. The causes can range from a heavy object being dropped on the foot to missing a step on the stairs. They are frequently seen in auto accident victims, runners, horseback riders and athletes who play football or other contact sports. Signs of a Lisfranc injury include: swelling, pain, bruising or blistering on the arch and in severe cases an inability to bear weight on the foot. The foot doctor will ask questions about how the injury occurred and rely on x-rays and other imaging studies to arrive at a diagnosis. Treatment will depend on the severity of the injury and can include: immobilization, ice, oral medications, physical therapy and or surgery.

Bunions

Unlike Lisfranc injuries, bunions are chronic, progressive condition that causes a deformity of the big toe. Changes in the bony framework of the foot cause the joint at the base of the big toe to move out of place. The telltale bump on the side of the toe is the result of this movement. Bunions are often due to inherited defects in the mechanical structure of the foot, but they can be exacerbated and their progression sped up by wearing shoes that are narrow and squeeze the toes together or high heels which exert extra force on the forefoot.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Bunions are usually readily apparent but the podiatrist may take x-rays to determine how far it has progressed. The earlier a bunion is diagnosed and treated the better. Depending on the stage and level of discomfort the bunion is causing the foot doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments: shoe modifications including the use of custom orthotics, padding, icing, injection therapy and physical therapy. The only way to correct a bunion is through surgery.

Your podiatrist is trained to treat all types of foot disorders and injuries. If you don’t currently have a podiatrist, use our online directoryto find one near you. To learn more about common foot problems contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.

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