Lisfranc Injury

Lisfranc Injury Physiotherapy in Singapore

A Lisfranc injury is a painful injury affecting the midfoot, usually around the tarsometatarsal joints where the forefoot and midfoot meet. It may involve a ligament injury, a fracture-dislocation, or a pure dislocation of the small joints and bones in the middle of the foot.

This type of injury is more serious than a simple foot sprain. Without proper diagnosis, immobilisation, and rehabilitation, it can lead to long-term pain, stiffness, weakness, and difficulty with walking or sport.

If you are looking for Lisfranc injury physiotherapy in Singapore, ACE Physio Sports can help. We support patients recovering from midfoot injuries, including post-cast and post-surgical rehabilitation, with treatment plans designed to restore movement, strength, balance, and confidence.

What is a Lisfranc injury?

A Lisfranc injury affects the ligament and joint complex in the midfoot. It is named after French surgeon Jacques Lisfranc, but in clinical practice, people may also refer to it as a:

• Midfoot injury
• Tarsometatarsal injury
• Lisfranc sprain
• Lisfranc fracture-dislocation

The midfoot includes important bones such as the cuneiforms, cuboid, and navicular, which work together to stabilise the arch and transfer force during standing, walking, running, and jumping. When the ligaments in this region are disrupted, the joints may become unstable. In more severe cases, there may also be fractures or obvious displacement of the bones.

What causes a Lisfranc injury?

A Lisfranc injury usually happens when a strong force is applied through the foot. Common causes include:

High-impact trauma

Road traffic accidents, falls from height, and crush injuries can place a large force through the midfoot and cause ligament damage, fractures, or dislocation.

Sporting injuries

Some athletes develop a Lisfranc injury when the foot is fixed in position and the body twists or falls. This can happen in sports and activities such as:

• Horse riding
• Cycling
• Snowboarding
• Kitesurfing
• Windsurfing

It can also occur in field and court sports when the foot is planted and the body rotates suddenly.

Common symptoms of a Lisfranc injury

Symptoms can vary depending on how severe the injury is, but common signs include:

• Pain in the midfoot
• Swelling over the top of the foot
• Bruising, especially bruising on the sole of the foot
• Difficulty standing or weight-bearing
• Pain when walking
• A feeling that the foot is unstable
• Reduced push-off strength during walking

Some people describe it as a bad foot sprain that does not feel right, or say they cannot put weight through the foot properly.

A Lisfranc injury should not be ignored. If it is missed or treated too late, it can lead to chronic pain, joint stiffness, reduced function, and post-traumatic arthritis.

What should I do if I think I have a Lisfranc injury?

If you have severe midfoot pain, swelling, bruising, or difficulty weight-bearing after an injury, you should get assessed promptly. A Lisfranc injury may need medical imaging, immobilisation, and, in some cases, orthopaedic review.

Until you are properly assessed, it is generally best to:

• Avoid pushing through pain
• Limit walking and weight-bearing
• Avoid sport or impact activity
• Seek medical assessment if the pain is significant or the foot looks deformed

Physiotherapy is important, but the first priority is making sure the injury is diagnosed correctly and managed appropriately.

How is a Lisfranc injury diagnosed?

A Lisfranc injury is diagnosed through a combination of:

Clinical assessment

A healthcare professional will assess your injury history, pain location, swelling, bruising, ability to bear weight, and foot function.

Imaging

A standard X-ray is often the first imaging test used. However, some Lisfranc injuries are subtle, so additional imaging such as MRI or other orthopaedic investigations may be needed if symptoms suggest deeper ligament damage or joint instability.

At ACE Physio Sports, we can assess your symptoms, identify red flags, and guide you on the next steps for appropriate rehabilitation once the injury has been medically managed.

Types of Lisfranc injuries

Lisfranc injuries can range from mild to severe. Common categories include:

Lisfranc sprain

This involves ligament injury without major fracture or dislocation.

Lisfranc fracture-dislocation

This includes ligament injury together with a fracture and joint displacement.

Pure Lisfranc dislocation

This means the bones are dislocated without an associated fracture.

The exact treatment depends on how unstable the midfoot is and whether the bones have shifted.

Medical treatment for a Lisfranc injury

Medical treatment depends on the severity of the injury.

Non-surgical treatment

If the injury is stable and there is minimal displacement, treatment may involve:

• Immobilisation in a cast or boot
• A period of non-weight-bearing
• Gradual progression based on medical advice and healing

Surgical treatment

If the injury is unstable, displaced, or more severe, surgery may be required to stabilise the joints and bones. This may involve internal fixation such as screws or other surgical methods. After surgery, patients are usually kept non-weight-bearing for several weeks before progressing gradually.

Whether treatment is surgical or non-surgical, rehabilitation is essential after the immobilisation phase.

Physiotherapy for Lisfranc injury

Physiotherapy plays an important role once the foot is medically safe to rehabilitate. After weeks of immobilisation, many people develop:

• Midfoot stiffness
• Weakness in the foot and ankle
• Calf weakness
• Poor balance
• Altered walking pattern
• Reduced confidence with weight-bearing

At ACE Physio Sports, Lisfranc injury rehabilitation is focused on helping you regain safe and efficient function step by step.

Benefits of physiotherapy after a Lisfranc injury

Physiotherapy can help with:

• Reducing pain and swelling
• Restoring foot and ankle mobility
• Improving strength in the foot, ankle, and calf
• Rebuilding balance and proprioception
• Correcting limping and abnormal gait
• Guiding safe return to walking, exercise, and sport
• Reducing the risk of long-term stiffness and functional limitations

If you are searching for midfoot injury rehab in Singapore or physiotherapy after Lisfranc surgery, structured rehabilitation can make a major difference to recovery.

What does physiotherapy treatment for a Lisfranc injury involve?

Your rehabilitation plan will depend on the stage of healing, whether you had surgery, and how your foot is responding.

1. Pain and swelling management

Early treatment may focus on reducing pain, swelling, and irritation while respecting healing tissues.

2. Mobility restoration

After immobilisation, the foot and ankle often become stiff. Treatment may include:

• Gentle mobility exercises
• Joint mobilisation where appropriate
• Soft tissue treatment
• Progressive flexibility work

3. Strengthening

Rehabilitation usually includes exercises for:

• Foot muscles
• Ankle muscles
• Calf complex
• Lower limb control

This helps restore support, push-off strength, and walking tolerance.

4. Balance and gait retraining

After a Lisfranc injury, many patients limp or avoid loading the foot properly. Physiotherapy may include:

• Weight transfer drills
• Balance training
• Gait retraining
• Stair practice
• Functional movement progression

5. Return to activity and sport

For active individuals and athletes, rehab progresses toward:

• Single-leg control
• Dynamic stability
• Hopping and landing progression where appropriate
• Sport-specific return planning

What should you avoid after a Lisfranc injury?

During recovery, avoid:

• Walking too much too early
• Returning to sport before the foot is ready
• Ignoring persistent midfoot pain
• Progressing weight-bearing faster than advised
• Wearing unsupportive footwear too early in rehab

Trying to push through this injury too soon can delay healing and increase the risk of ongoing problems.

Recovery and long-term outlook

Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the injury and whether surgery was needed. Some people recover well with non-surgical care, while others need a longer rehabilitation period after fixation and immobilisation.

Possible long-term issues after a Lisfranc injury can include:

• Midfoot stiffness
• Ongoing pain with walking or running
• Reduced athletic performance
• Weak push-off
• Post-traumatic joint changes

A structured rehabilitation programme improves the chances of a stronger and safer recovery.

Why choose ACE Physio Sports?

At ACE Physio Sports, we provide clear, structured rehabilitation for foot and ankle injuries, including Lisfranc injuries, midfoot pain, and post-surgical physiotherapy.

Patients choose us because we focus on:

• Individualised rehabilitation plans
• Clear explanations and practical recovery guidance
• Functional rehab for walking, work, exercise, and sport
• Progressive treatment after immobilisation or surgery
• Local physiotherapy care in Singapore, with convenient access for patients around East Coast Road

We aim to help you recover safely, restore confidence in your foot, and return to normal activity with the right plan.

4. Book Appointment

Book an Appointment

If you have a suspected Lisfranc injury, midfoot pain, or need physiotherapy after Lisfranc surgery in Singapore, early assessment and the right rehabilitation plan can make a big difference.

ACE Physio Sports provides physiotherapy for foot injuries, sports injuries, and post-operative rehabilitation in Singapore.

Call: +65 81535374 Website: acephysiosport.com Email: admin@acephysiosport.com

To book your appointment, call us or visit the website today.