Common foot & ankle concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Lisfranc Injury
An injury to the midfoot joints
A Lisfranc injury is damage to the bones or ligaments of the midfoot. It is a serious injury that is frequently missed on first evaluation and requires prompt diagnosis. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
See a specialist this week
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- A Lisfranc injury is one of many foot & ankle conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Stable Lisfranc sprains can heal in a cast or boot with no weight on the foot. Injuries where the bones have shifted usually need surgery.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is a Lisfranc injury?
A Lisfranc injury is damage to the bones or ligaments of the midfoot. It is a serious injury that is frequently missed on first evaluation and requires prompt diagnosis. Because it can look like a simple sprain at first, early evaluation matters after any midfoot injury with swelling or bruising.
Treatment depends on whether the midfoot joints are still stable. Stable injuries, with no shift on weight-bearing X-rays, are treated in a cast or boot with no weight on the foot for several weeks. Injuries with any shift or instability generally need surgery to line the joints up and hold them, because a midfoot that heals out of place tends to become painful and arthritic.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose a Lisfranc injury, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Lisfranc Injury
This is an injury of the middle part of the foot, where the metatarsal bones of the forefoot connect to the cuneiform bones of the midfoot. It can involve torn ligaments, broken bones or a combination of both. And, it can involve more than one joint.
Inside the foot & ankle.
The foot and ankle have 26 bones, more than 30 joints, and over 100 ligaments and tendons. The plantar fascia spans the bottom of the foot, the Achilles tendon anchors the calf to the heel, and the ankle is a hinge that handles every step you take. Most foot and ankle problems trace back to overload, alignment, or footwear that doesn't match the way your foot is built.
Symptoms and causes of a Lisfranc injury
Common symptoms
- Pain on top of the midfoot
- Swelling and bruising on top and bottom of the foot
- Inability to bear weight without pain
- Pain with push-off
Common causes
- Twisting fall with foot planted (football, soccer)
- Motor vehicle accident
- High-energy fall onto the foot
- Even a low-energy stumble in some cases
How we diagnose a Lisfranc injury
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for a Lisfranc injury typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the foot & ankle: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat a Lisfranc injury at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Non-surgical care for stable injuries
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Cast or boot with no weight on the foot for several weeks
- Weight-bearing X-rays or CT to confirm the joints stay lined up
- Gradual return to weight-bearing in a supportive shoe or orthotic
- Physical therapy to restore strength and balance
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
- Open reduction and internal fixation with screws or plates
- Midfoot fusion for severe ligament injury or joint damage
- Hardware removal in select cases after healing
- Staged rehabilitation after surgery
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Foot & ankle care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our foot & ankle specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the foot & ankle that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your foot & ankle recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the midfoot in a cast or boot, controlling swelling, and keeping weight off the foot.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- No weight on the foot, using crutches or a knee scooter
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Protected healing
The midfoot stays protected in a cast or boot while it heals, and weight-bearing is added only as your surgeon allows.
- Cast or boot, with weight-bearing only as your surgeon allows
- Follow-up X-rays to confirm the joints stay lined up
- Gentle ankle and toe motion when cleared
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Foot and ankle considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the foot & ankle. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our foot & ankle doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our foot & ankle specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Care for a Lisfranc injury starts here
Don't let a Lisfranc injury be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need a cast or boot, physical therapy, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a foot & ankle specialist in Los Angeles.
Common Lisfranc injury questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually done in-office; MRI or ultrasound is ordered when soft-tissue detail is needed. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a foot & ankle specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
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