Plantar dislocation of lateral tarsometatarsal joint: A case of subtle lisfranc injury

Abstract

Introduction: We present a rare case of plantar dislocation of the cuboid, fourth and fifth metatarsal joints. Fracture-dislocation in the midfoot region may be subtle and difficult to recognise at the emergency department. Clinical Picture: A 16-year-old girl presented with lateral foot pain and swelling following a fall from a height of 3 m. Initial radiograph revealed a third metatarsal shaft fracture; however, additional views reviewed a plantar direction of fourth and fifth metatarsal dislocation from the cuboid. Treatment: Open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wires followed by immobilisation in plaster was performed. Outcome: She made an uneventful recovery and the wires had since been removed. Conclusion: This case was unusual in that there was lateral tarsometatarsal disruption with neither diastasis between the first and second metatarsals nor injury to either the first or second tarsometatarsal joints. The plantar direction of dislocation was also unusual as these injuries are usually dorsal.