Plates, Screws, or Combination? Radiologic Outcomes After Lisfranc Fracture Dislocation

Traditionally, Lisfranc fracture dislocations have been treated with transarticular screw fixation. A more recent development has been the use of dorsal bridging plates. The aim of the present study was to compare the radiologic outcomes for these 2 methods. Currently, no data comparing the outcomes of these 2 treatment options have been reported. A total of 62 patients were treated for Lisfranc fracture dislocations during a 6-year period. The inclusion criteria included ≥6 months of follow-up data available. Each fracture was classified using the Hardcastle classification system. Each fracture was also allocated into 1 of 4 groups: transarticular screw fixation, dorsal plating, a combination of plate and screw fixation, and nonoperative management. The outcome measures included the Kellgren-Lawrence grading of osteoarthritis and the Wilppula classification of anatomic reduction. In terms of results, radiologic osteoarthritis is not associated with the type of injury according to the Hardcastle classification nor with having an open or closed fracture. The Hardcastle classification is not associated with the type of fixation used. Fractures fixed with a combination of plates and screws had a 3.01 (95% confidence interval 1.036 to 8.74) increased risk of having stage 3 or 4 radiologic osteoarthritis compared with being fixed solely with bridging plates (p = .009). Multivariate analysis revealed that this increased risk of osteoarthritis was dependent on the quality of reduction, with good reductions having a 18.2 (95% confidence interval 15.9 to 21.8) times decreased risk of severe osteoarthritis compared with fair or poor reductions, independent of the type of fixation used (p < .0001). No radiologic benefits were found when comparing plate or screw fixation for Lisfranc fracture dislocations (although screw fixation might be associated with a less planus foot and fewer complications). Instead, a good anatomic reduction was the only predictor of the radiologic outcome, and the Hardcastle classification of fractures did not predict the surgery type or radiologic outcome. Finally, treatment with combination plates and screws resulted in worse radiologic outcomes, possibly owing to more complex fracture patterns.