Comparison of Surgical Outcomes for Lisfranc Joint Injuries:Dorsal Bridge Plating versus Transarticular Screw versus Combination

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#In Lisfranc joint injury, the traditional treatment has been open reduction and internal fixation with a transarticular screw. Despite this, additional complications, such as damage to the articular surface and breakage of the screw, have been reported. Therefore, this study compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of dorsal bridge plating with those of transarticular screws and combination treatment in Lisfranc joint injury. @*Materials and Methods@#Among the 43 patients who underwent surgical treatment due to Lisfranc joint injury from June 2015 to March 2021, 40 cases followed for more than six months after surgery were analyzed, excluding three patients one lost to follow-up, one had to amputate, and one expired. The radiological parameters were measured using the Wilppula classification in the last follow-up. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score. @*Results@#The AOFAS midfoot score, according to the surgical method, was significantly higher in the dorsal bridge plating (p=0.003). The radiological outcomes showed significantly better anatomical reduction when dorsal bridge plating was used (p=0.040). According to the Wilppula classification, the AOFAS midfoot score improved as the quality of anatomical reduction improved (p=0.018). Finally, the AOFAS midfoot score decreased as the number of column fixations increased (p=0.002). There were two complications screw breakage in dorsal bridge plating and superficial skin necrosis in the combination treatment. Skin defects caused by necrosis improved after negative pressure wound therapy and split-thickness skin graft. @*Conclusion@#In treating Lisfranc joint injuries, open reduction and internal fixation by dorsal bridge plating can be an appropriate treatment option. Nevertheless, studies, such as long-term follow-up research, on complications, such as osteoarthritis, will be needed.