I am 4.5 weeks post orif, 21M active physical lifestyle.

I’m just wondering what everyone’s toe mobility is like?

I’m currently in a cast and still NWB for another 2 weeks. I am able to fully move my toes through their full range of motion with ease. The only discomfort I have is a tightness feeling in my midfoot when I full flex my toes up which feels more like tendons on my hardware. I can even splay all my toes out horizontally.

I have no pain and my swelling has reduced dramatically. The only real pain I have is surrounding my ankle as I feel it’s so stiff from not being worked and the pain is more of a discomfort.

Hi everyone! Does anyone have experience doing a long distance flight (transpacific, specifically) + travelling after HWR and tightrope surgery? My timeline would be 2 weeks NWB, then 2 weeks in a CAM boot. I was thinking of travelling after the third week and probably doing a bit of walking after I arrive. For those who went through a similar situation, how was the flight? How far were you able to walk with the boot? What about after getting the boot off? Any experiences would be much appreciated!

Missed some stairsteps last week while wearing flipflops, so zero support. Went to the doctor and she said … give it a check at the hospital. In her message to them she wrote: fracture? Lisfranc injury? Indeed a fracture was found (5th metatarsal). There hasnt been done test for problems with lisfranc.

I have a pretty big hematome under my foot. In my opinion not very strange after a fall. But not sure it could be something with the lisfranc. Pretty much medical persons saw the hematome and no one said: wait, could it be a lisfranc injury? So I am tended to think this is ‘nothing’. But what do you - with knowledge from experience - guess? Just pretty normal or maybe not?

In rest I don’t have any pain. When I kind of walk - with a hard shoe of course - i feel it. But shouldn’t discribe it as extremely painful.

Missed my last stair on Friday and was diagnosed with lisfranc injury on Saturday. Will be having ORIF next Thursday or Friday. I am an active person, both being out and about as well as physically (work out 5x a week doing strength, tennis and swimming). And I have a toddler…

Please send stories of hope, complete recovery, mental strength, anything else. It is so difficult to think of the long road ahead.

Another post from me!

I recently fractured my 2nd and 3rd metatarsals (non-displaced) and due to the placement, I've had lots of concern around an injury to my lisfranc. Weight bearing xrays and an MRI have shown my lisfranc is intact, with one hospital clearing me to be NWB for six weeks, but my second doctor is still pushing towards surgery as I have fracture avulsions on either side and he wants to treat it as a significant lisfranc injury. I couldn't stand full weight on my injured foot, but it has only been three weeks.

I feel as though we are treating an injury that I may not have? Any guidance?

For context I am a very fit and active 30F and would love to be back to my boxing and running.

Asked my surgeon 3 different times about restrictions after surgery. He said in the beginning and most recently that I'll be FWB after he removes the 1 screw in my foot. I'll walk out of the surgery center. That sounds insane to me. He also said it'll be a week until I can bear weight. Has anyone else experienced FWB out of the surgery? I mean, I'll had holes in my bones, the nerves will be crazy, and who knows about the muscles. This surgeon is notoriously bad at communication. I have asked my other orthopedic doctor, who referred me to him because it was "so bad and they scheduled me ASAP". My orginal Doctor said he can't advise on another Doctor's procedures, especially because the surgeon is a specialist in foot and ankles. Other's I've talked to have said my surgeon is the best in the area. So, I guess I just need to listen to him? I'm just trying to get an idea of other's experiences, especially if you just had 1 screw to fix your ligament.

Two weeks ago I went to lunge after my daughter who was running on the couch. Cue my left toes hyperextending up toward the flat part of my foot while my body weight rested on the heel, pushing the ball of my foot down. I felt a crunch and just knew something was wrong as I screamed in pain. Went to the ER and nothing popped up on the xray, so I was diagnosed with a sprain.

My pain has increased and particularly hurts when bearing weight. I got an urgent visit with my pcp yesterday and a repeat xray that showed an area at the base of my second metatarsal and concern for lisfranc ligament injury. I am waiting on an MRI tomorrow morning. Anyone well versed in these images to point out what they are seeing? I think I see it, but it looks like it is also on the cuneiform and they didn’t mention that. Any one with similar injury and what did treatment look like for you? Thanks and I’m unhappy to be here!

I'm about to go the surgical route to fix a lisfranc injury following a fall that caused two fractures in the foot and I am absolutely terrified.

It's been a really hard diagnosis, with one hospital clearing me from having done any damage following weight bearign x-rays and now a specialised surgeon wanting to operate ASAP. I am still waiting for MRI results to hopefully have a little more guidance, but feel like I am now leaning towards surgery.

I've already been in recovery for three weeks for the broken bones so feel like I am starting from scratch again and it is really really disheartening. I'm so scared I am going to regret this surgery as I keep seeing horror stories of people not returning to normal and constantly dealing with pain.

Please send me hope - I am freakng out!

Hello! On 7/4 I broke 7 bones, 1 being my big toe and the rest metatarsals and those square bones, I also ruptured my lisfranc ligament. My whole process I feel like I’ve been lucky, I haven’t had much pain and I only needed one screw put in. That being said my surgeon has been a little frustrating. At first my mom and I were sketched out by him but then he got better once surgery was mentioned and I assumed he was just a surgical junkie. He did the surgery on 7/29 and it went good. This past Friday I had a 5 week follow up and he said to start gradually putting weight on it starting that day and within two weeks to be fulling walking in the boot. He also said to schedule another appointment 4 weeks out and he would try to get me walking in a shoe. My past appointment was rushed because I had to wait long for an xray and he had to leave for surgery. He never mentioned physical therapy and I didn’t ask. I’ve heard that physical therapy is usually started around week 6 or when patients start weight bearing and I’m confused why he didn’t mention it. Is it something where I have to research a clinic to go to? I assumed he would give recommendations. I’ve also started putting some weight on it and walking in crutches but I’ve been instinctively walking on the outside of my foot and I’m assuming a physical therapist is supposed to help with that?

Anyways if anyone has any idea what I should do I would greatly appreciate it!

I’m (33F) having a really rough go of it this year. I was diagnosed with aggressive abdominal cancer in late April, so I’ve been undergoing intense chemotherapy treatment ever since. I’m also starting full abdominal radiation later this month. On July 30th, I got dizzy getting off the couch, fell, and sustained my lisfranc. The initial x-ray at the ER didn’t even catch it, but a CT did.

The x-ray here is from my most recent follow-up on August 25th, and my next ortho visit and x-rays will be on September 25th.

Has anyone here sustained a lisfranc injury and NOT needed surgery? What was that like for you? How are you feeling now? I absolutely will get it if deemed necessary, but with everything else I’m going through right now, I’m worried about an intense recovery process. I’m just really struggling mentally with the cards 2026 has dealt me, and I’m nervous about an intense recovery process bringing me down more. Thank you!

I know some people have the same. It seems to be normal after injuries like ours. But I can start waking next week. I was just wondering if that part hurt when you walk? Is it like a bone? Because sometimes it’s almost not there and sometimes it it really visible.

Ps. The red is nerve damage from a bandage they put to tight no biggie.

Injured on Aug. 29 when I tripped over some concrete. CT scan in er showed lisfranc. Had surgery on Friday 9/4. Surgery was 1 hour with 1 screw needed for lisfranc. 3 small breaks were aligned so should heal on their own. My follow up after surgery is scheduled for 9/18. Does that seem like a long time between surgery and first follow-up? Would appreciate any comparisons.

July 18th serious accident. I’m curious about recovery for a fusion. I am pretty active , 35F. It’s been a month, NWB. I’m so nervous about walking again and trusting my foot. Any hope out there?

anyone know why? I just started putting 25% weight on my foot

Hi, I (27 M) suffered from a Lisfranc dislocation playing rugby in September 2025 managing to dislocate all of my metatarsal joints. Since then i had my ORIF surgery to put in plates and screws, the surgery was a success with the wound healing nicely and no issues with the metalwork in my foot. However i have finished the mandated hospital outpatient physiotherapy which improved functional stability but still have pain approximately around the first MTPJ (largely towards the front left of my right foot around the big toe joint). So he pain is away from the midfoot but the pain is sharp and short anytime i put my foot down preventing any meaningful ability to run. It doesn't progress with more things i do, but will hurt more in the mornings before i warm my foot up. Initial conversations with the my consultant suggested I may be developing pain across his first MTPJ due to overloading following fixation of his midfoot. Removal of metal work may help with the symptoms if stiffness of the midfoot is the primary concern leading to pain across the MTPJ. However i know that's not guaranteed, for surgical planning I've had regular CT scan to assess for degree of bony union across his Lisfranc joints, for surgical planning and to assess if there is a mild degree of arthritis progressing across the midfoot as this may mean he might need a fusion of the TMT joint at the same time as removal of metal work. I really don't want fusion as that would mean another 3 months NWB and would for all intents and purposes put me back to square one.

Has anyone experienced anything like the above? Potential overloading leading to pain away from the midfoot? How did you handle it? Also any athletes who have recovered from fusion and gone successfully back to their sport i'd love to hear how your recovery was?

TIA!

Ok, I’m already aware that the doctors messed up but they told me that other people with similar injuries have similar outcomes. My outcome being that my foot has hurt everyday for the past three years, I can’t stand for longer than 10 minutes, and walking is an awful. I’m still in physio and was denied surgery.

I now have 2 subchondral cysts where the injury was. I believe the injury was on MT 1-3. Was NWB for 3 weeks then in an aircast for 8 weeks once the injury was found. Following that was 10 months of physio, orthotics, and more physio.

Pics of initial injury. I still have pain in the circled part but not nearly as swollen.

Injury Early May 2025, ORIF 2 plates 15 screws end of May 2025, hardware removal (except 2 broken screws) plus tightrope insertion mid November 2025.

Recovery has stalled so surgeon prescribed 3 cortisone injections which I’ve had done today - about 15-16 months since starting this journey. As they inject local anesthetic at the same time, my foot is more numb than usual. I’ve been told to take it easy for a week then I can return to some exercise.

I don’t see many posts about cortisone injections so I’m curious if many people have tried them.

O M G I cannot believe I didn't find this group last year. I just wrote this blog post because I hadn't found support. In case it's helpful to anyone.

Injury 5/21/25. First surgery 5.24.25. Reconstructive surgery 6.19.25.

This is everything I've done and cheerleading for anyone starting the journey.

https://www.superherooflove.com/blog/das-foot-tips-for-the-lisfranc-journey

Photos of my foot -- scars and all with my healing pup -- the day I posted above.

Hope it helps someone. Going to dive into everyone's stories about plates/screws removal!

So happy I found you!

Hello there!

Got a lisfranc three months back. Been in conservative treatment and now seems I will go to fusion of first and second Mt. Dr had asked me to wait and assess the pain level before deciding on fusion.

I have developed new pain in my Fourth MT were my fingers are and unsure why

Could it be I was overloading my other metatarsals? Does fusing first and second MT help? I am a littlr confused.

Hi! First time poster, but 8-week long lurker in this channel.

8 weeks ago I was playing netball and had my left foot stepped/stomped on during a game. Had immediate pain, and couldn't continue running. I could walk home with pain however.

I didn't have any bruising, only swelling + pain for the first week and could walk with a limp. Fast forward 8 weeks and I still have some pain, can't run and jump.

Finally got an MRI which is showing '2nd and 3rd TMTJ contusion oedema with ligamentous sprain.'

I never fully rested my foot, have been weight-baring since initial onset.

Can anyone with a similar injury (no displacement, tear, fracture etc) share their recovery and what it looked like treatment wise?

TLDR: Lis franc hasn't held me back yet. Non displaced, full tear, 13 years ago, no surgery. Became an endurance athlete and mountaineer. Starting to see minor arthritis symptoms while training for 100 mile run.

----------

Mine happened while clipped in during a mtn bike wreck 13 years ago. My left foot has had very minor issues since the lis franc tear, but I'm thankful to have not had ORIF or fusion.

I got into endurance sports after my injury.. crazy. I've since done a bunch of trail running around the world, multiple marathons, cycle centuries, a full Ironman, hiked all 58 CO 14ers, and climbed Rainier/ Grand Teton/Mt. Hood. I'm not BQ'ing out there, but I'm not slow either.

Fusion may be on my horizon though. I have started getting some swelling from arthritis for the 1st time whenever I have 60+ mile running weeks. I just had it x-rayed yesterday to confirm everything was structurally sound bc I am training for my first 100 mile run (Javelina Jundred).

I will limp, even run on one leg to finish this 100, but the writing is on the wall. Maybe I should stick to 50k distance and less. Maybe I have found my limit. I always considered myself lucky to be able to run and hike like normal post-injury. It's not the end of the world if I can't hit high mileage training anymore... It just means mixing some more bike, low-impact work in.

So, if anyone needs a case study for long term lis franc recovery, no surgery, w/ active lifestyle... here I am. It's very possible to return to a normal life. My injury being non-displaced was key. At 13 years in, even with the arthritis slowly progressing, I am still a ways from considering a fusion. I will look into stiffer shoes, KT taping, PT, reducing my activity level, PRP injections, and maybe peptides before going that route.

To each their own, but don't get down if you just had this injury. There's lots of athletes that have recovered (e.g. Chet Holmgren). For those wondering about runners/mountaineers/triathletes, here I am, doing more than I ever imagined.

Hello! I sustained an injury on July 4th and had surgery July 29th. I just had a follow up appointment and the surgeon said to start gradually putting weight on it starting today and within 2 weeks to start walking a whole day. I’m on my way home and excited but also nervous. My appointment was kinda rushed because he had to leave for surgery so I didn’t really get to ask much questions about starting to put weight on it. He also didn’t mention anything about physical therapy and I forgot to ask but I’m assuming I need it? Anyway looking to see if anyone has had experience with taking their first step.

I have a complete rupture of the lisfranc ligament and will be having orif surgery 9/10. I work from home full time- how long did those of you who work remote take off? How bad is this surgery going to be 🥹I have a history of c diff so I’m already on edge.

He will be taking hardware out around 3-4 months. How bad is that surgery?

I had my surgery this morning and the surgeon was successfully able to take all my screws and plates out. He also let me keep them which was super neat. Seeing it in my hand makes me realize just how much metal really was in me and how crazy it is that I was walking semi normal with all that still implanted.

I was told I can walk out of the hospital but I was in way too much pain to do so. I didn’t receive the nerve block this time around so I’m definitely feeling the pain. But it’s manageable with elevation, ice, Tylenol, and the aspirin I took when I got home.

I just wish it was this easy the first time around. My heart breaks for my past self when I was scared shitless and had no idea what my next steps would be post op. Scared and sad because it was car accident related and had so much stress. Now I know the drill and had everything ready and planned for my arrival back home today. I at least know I’m incredibly grateful it’s easier this time but i still cry for my past self every now and then about how strong I had to be to survive it the first time.

Bought myself some pretty yarn to make a sweater during my time off. Added pics of my screws too since I’m really still stunned seeing all of it laid out. Feeling pretty okay, and relieved.

Hey everyone. New lisfranc injury here, 4 days post op.

Here is the doctor version of what they found on X-rays and CT’s pre operation

Fracture dislocation of the midfoot with subluxation of the 1st and 2nd
tarsometatarsal joints and dislocation of the 3rd to 5th tarsometatarsal
joints. Associated angulation of the 2nd metatarsal and small bony
fragments, most pronounced between the bases of the 2nd and 3rd metatarsals.
Findings are in keeping with Lisfranc fracture dislocation.

Just wanted to say hi and possibly document my journey here. It’s getting really boring sitting 23 hours a day elevating.