Lisfranc injury carries a high risk of chronic secondary disability. Posttraumatic arthritis in the midfoot occurs despite operative intervention and restoration of anatomical alignment. The current technique for operative intervention is to use screws to stabilize tarsometatarsal and intercuneiform joints of the medial and middle columns and to use Kirschner wires to stabilize the lateral column of the foot. Screws traversing the articular surfaces can contribute to the articular damage and posttraumatic arthritis in the midfoot. Therefore, use of implants that do not traverse the articular surfaces is likely to minimize this risk.

This article describes the principle and method of extra-articular stabilization of Lisfranc sprains and fracture-dislocation injuries of the foot.