The Lisfranc ligament extends from the medial cuneiform to the base of the second metatarsal, and is divided into dorsal, interosseous, and plantar components, with the plantar component being the most important.

These injuries account for 0.2% of all fractures and less than 1% of all dislocations.

Delayed recognition leads to chronic pain, significant functional loss, and osteoarthritis.

Common mechanisms of Lisfranc injury include direct trauma (such as crush injury) and indirect trauma (such as forced plantar flexion and forefoot abduction).

Common clinical symptoms include pain at the TMT joint of the midfoot and inability to bear weight. Limited forefoot abduction or adduction, plantar ecchymosis, and shortening of the foot are less common presenting features.

Homolateral dislocation is defined as lateral displacement of the first through fifth metatarsals.

Divergent dislocation is defined as medial dislocation of the first metatarsal with lateral dislocation of the second through fifth metatarsals.

On radiography, more than 2 mm of separation between first and second metatarsal on weight-bearing views suggests Lisfranc ligament tear, while frank displacement of the second metatarsal and medial cuneiform is suggestive of complete tear.

On radiography or MR, nonalignment of the lateral aspect of the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform and the medial aspect of the fourth metatarsal and cuboid suggest a Lisfranc injury.

As many as 20% of Lisfranc joint injuries are estimated to be missed on conventional non-weight-bearing AP and lateral radiographs. CT is highly sensitive for identifying fractures not identified on plain radiographs or MR.

MR findings of Lisfranc injury include abnormal signal (i.e., sprain) or frank disruption (i.e., tear) of the Lisfranc ligament, malalignment of the dorsal arch, TMT joint subchondral edema suggestive of avulsion fracture, and marrow edema within the metatarsals or medial and middle cuneiforms.