Abstract

The objective of this retrospective study was to compare open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with primary partial arthrodesis for the treatment of Lisfranc injuries accompanied by comminution of the second metatarsal base. Thirty-four patients were treated with ORIF or primary partial arthrodesis from 2007 to 2013. The patients were followed for an average of 28.5 months. Evaluation was performed with clinical examination, radiography, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Midfoot Score, and the Short Form 36 (SF-36). Fifteen patients were treated with ORIF, and nineteen patients were treated with primary partial arthrodesis. Anatomical reduction was obtained in all patients. At two years postoperatively, the mean AOFAS Midfoot score was 84.33 points in the ORIF group and 85.05 points in the primary partial arthrodesis group (P> 0.05). Also, no significant differences were seen in the VAS for pain (1.20 vs 1.05 points), SF-36 physical component (79.60 vs 79.89 points) or SF-36 mental component (77.07 vs 79.21 points). With longer and conservative postoperative management, ORIF as well as primary partial arthrodesis for Lisfranc injuries accompanied by comminution of the second metatarsal base led to similar medium-term outcome.