Primary open reduction and internal fixation with headless compression screws in the treatment of Chinese patients with acute Lisfranc joint injuries.

BACKGROUND

Although primary open anatomic reduction and stable internal fixation has become a standard treatment principle of Lisfranc joint injuries, there are still some debates existed among surgeons as to the most appropriate treatment of this injury. The aim of this cohort study was to analyze the early (mean, 3.2 years) clinical and radiographic outcomes of one surgeon's experience associated with a standardized protocol of open reduction and internal fixation using headless compression screws (HCS) in a consecutive series of Chinese patients with Lisfranc joint injuries.

METHODS

This study is to retrospectively evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of a series of Chinese patients with Lisfranc joint injuries that underwent open reduction and internal fixation with HCS.

RESULTS

There were 29 patients (30 feet) included in our study. The average score of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Midfoot score and the Visual Analog Pain Scale were 80.6 and 2.4 points at the final follow-up point, respectively. Anatomic initial reduction was obtained in 26 patients (27 feet, 90%). At the last follow-up point, only one case had the loss of reduction. Posttraumatic osteoarthritis was observed in 10 patients (10 feet, 33%), and 2 of them (2 feet, 7%) were scheduled for arthrodesis because of persistent pain.

CONCLUSION

Our results have shown that fixation of an unstable tarsometatarsal joint with AO 3.0 mm HCS can provide the firm stability, the precise reduction of the joint, and satisfactory short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes without any screw breakage, although posttraumatic osteoarthritis in the midfoot is still a significant challenge for orthopedic surgeons.