This review looked at 262 patients who had neglected Lisfranc injuries, which are specific types of foot fractures. The study focused on how surgical management affected the patients' ability to use their feet and move comfortably, measured by standard clinical scores.
Researchers found that surgery was associated with a significant improvement in these functional scores. Interestingly, patients with high-energy injuries started with lower scores but showed greater overall improvement after surgery. Their final scores were similar to those of patients with lower-energy injuries. The specific type of surgery performed and the amount of time that passed before surgery did not change the final functional outcome.
There were some risks involved, with a 34% complication rate reported. Higher complication rates were seen in cases involving high-energy injuries and longer delays in treatment. Because the final results often depend on the initial severity of the injury, patients should talk to their doctors about joint health and the timing of surgery to make the best plan for their recovery.
