Dynamic MR imaging analysis of instability in the injured Lisfranc joint with an MRI-compatible foot stressor device

To evaluate the applicability of an MRI-compatible foot stressor device in patients with image-proven or clinically suspected Lisfranc joint injuries.

This prospective study evaluated Lisfranc joint injury by utilizing a joint-specific, stress device that was engineered to replicate weightbearing and physical examination maneuvers. Sixteen patients with either clinically suspected or image-proven Lisfranc joint injuries were recruited from September 2018 to November 2019 (9 men, 7 women; mean age, 39.3 years; age range, 14-68 years). Resting and stressed MR sequences of the injured and non-injured feet were obtained. Measured values for Lisfranc interval widths, dorsal tarsometatarsal subluxations, and lambda-angles were subtracted between the stressed and resting images to calculate net stress-induced changes. A graded injury schema was used to measure significance.

The foot stressor device reliably generated stress-induced changes in the Lisfranc joint during dynamic MRI examination. All morphologically abnormal ligaments on resting images demonstrated stress-induced changes, whereas all morphologically normal ligaments lacked evidence of instability. More severely injured Lisfranc ligaments allowed greater Lisfranc joint widening (IOL, p < 0.001; PCL, p < 0.001; DCL, p < 0.001). More highly graded DCL injuries allowed greater dorsal TMT subluxation when present (p < 0.001). Angular gain in the midfoot (lambda-angle) correlated with the graded IOL score (p < 0.001). Acute-to-subacute injuries demonstrated greater inducible changes than chronic injuries (p = 0.047). Seven patients underwent surgery and nine patients received physical therapy.

Stress-induced changes in the midfoot provided information on the degree of ligament pathology and associated joint instability in Lisfranc joint injuries.