Acute Lisfranc injuries may not deter return to play for soccer, rugby players

Recently published data indicated elite-level rugby players and soccer players can return to play within 31 weeks after they undergo surgery for acute Lisfranc injuries, but bony injuries were associated with a longer return to play than ligamentous injuries.

Researchers prospectively collected data for and assessed 17 professional soccer and rugby players who were surgically treated for acute Lisfranc injuries. They followed the patients for a minimum of 24 months and used CT and MRI evaluate the fractures they saw on plain radiographs. The investigators recorded patient demographics, any associated or previous significant injuries and the type of sport played.

The Nunley classification was used to assess seven patients with primarily ligamentous injuries and 10 patients with bony injuries were assessed with the Hardcastle classification.

Findings showed that of 17 players, 16 players were able to return to training and full competition. The one patient retired due to a primarily ligamentous injury.

The mean time between injury and surgical fixation in the study was 15.6 days. Investigators noted the mean time to return to training was 20 weeks. For rugby players and soccer players, the mean time to return to competition was 28 weeks and 24 weeks, respectively. Mean time to return to competition for the primarily ligamentous injuries was 22 weeks and for bony injuries was 26.9 weeks, which was significantly different. According to researchers, deep peroneal nerve sensation loss was seen in three patients and one of those patients did not recover fully. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo

Disclosures: Deol reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.

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Source:

Deol RS, et al. Am J Sports Med. 2015; doi: 10.1177/0363546515616814.