Functional Outcomes of Primary Arthrodesis (PA) Versus Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) in the Treatment of Lisfranc Injuries

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether primary arthrodesis (PA) or open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) results in better functional outcomes through patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Reoperation rates and surgical characteristics among the 2 groups are evaluated as well.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Level 1 trauma center.

Patients: Eighty-one patients treated using PA or ORIF for Lisfranc injuries between January 2010 and January 2019.

Main outcome measurements: PROMs were collected using the validated Foot and Ankle Ability Measure questionnaire. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 10 years posttreatment.

Results: Two hundred patients underwent ORIF, and 72 patients underwent PA. Eighty-one of 272 patients responded to the questionnaire. The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure revealed activities of daily living subscores for PA and ORIF of 69.78 ± 18.61 and 73.53 ± 25.60, respectively ( P = 0.48). The Sports subscores for PA (45.81 ± 24.65) and ORIF (56.54 ± 31.13) were not significantly different ( P = 0.11). Perceived levels of activities of daily living ( P = 0.32) and Sports ( P = 0.81) function, compared with preinjury levels, were also not significantly different between the 2 groups. Rates of reoperation were nearly identical for PA (28.1%) and ORIF (30.6%) ( P = 1.00).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that neither PA nor ORIF is superior regarding functional outcomes or rates of reoperation in the surgical treatment of Lisfranc injuries when appropriately triaged by the treating surgeon.

Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.