Stability of Lisfranc joints in ballet pointe position

Ballerinas develop stress fractures at the second metatarsal base associated with dancing en pointe. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative importance of the pointe shoe and the tarsometatarsal ligaments in Lisfranc joint stability en pointe.

Eleven cadaver feet were dressed with pointe shoes, loaded in foot flat with ligaments intact, and loaded en pointe before and after sequential sectioning of the dorsal, interosseous, and plantar ligaments between the first and second metatarsals and cuneiforms. Relative motion between the first and second metatarsals and cuneiforms was determined radiographically.

No significant displacement of the Lisfranc joints occurred when the shod foot with intact ligaments was loaded in the foot flat or en pointe positions. Serial sectioning of the ligaments from dorsal to plantar in the shod foot en pointe demonstrated no change in alignment after the dorsal and interosseous ligaments were cut, but a significant change in alignment between the second metatarsal and second cuneiform was noted after the plantar ligament was cut (p < 0.0001). Removal of the pointe shoe after cutting the ligaments and applying a minimal (1 to 2 kg) load resulted in complete subluxation and diastasis through the first-second intermetatarsal and intercuneiform region. Replacing the shoe improved alignment en pointe with similar loading.

Both the pointe shoe and Lisfranc ligaments are important for Lisfranc region stability in feet en pointe. The plantar ligaments are major stabilizers of the Lisfranc region in the loaded, shod foot en pointe. Selection of a pointe shoe with adequate support may limit susceptibility to stress fracture of the second metatarsal base in ballerinas.