Lisfranc-screws and wires

[slp]

I had surgery for a Lisfranc fracture five weeks ago. I have a non weight bearing cast for at least another month. The doctor used four screws and a couple of wires to repair my foot. He said these will need to removed 17 weeks after original surgery. Has anyone had this done? Was the surgery as intense as the original repair? Were you put back into a cast after the hardware was removed? Thanks for any insight on this injury.

[whimsy]

Hi slp,
What you described seems pretty normal for lisfranc repair. I had screws and pins for 12 weeks non-weight bearing, then had surgery to remove the hardware.

Don't worry about the surgery to remove - that was a piece of cake. At least mine was. I hope yours is too.

If you use the search function at the top of the page for lisfranc, you will find a few posts about our unusual fracture here on the board.

I broke mine over a year ago, and am still recovering. It's a serious injury, and remember, posts you read online are usually from people that are having troubles and may not represent everyone's results.

Good luck, and keep us posted on how things go~

~Whimsy

**edited to add that after my hardware was removed, I didn't have another cast - just soft wrapping and continued wear of my "ski boot" for protection.

[This message has been edited by whimsy (edited 09-26-2003).]

[sault]

Welcome to the select group of Lisfrance patients! The removal of screws (I didn't have wires) is a piece of cake compared to getting them in. The foot should be fused when the doc takes them out so it is done quickly and easily. Weight bearing will probably be allowed by then. Good luck.

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[slp]

Thanks for your response. I have been so healthy all of my life. I can now, in part, relate to someone with life long physical challenges. I actually think I am healing pretty well, time will tell. The swelling is down and I am going to try and go back to work part time next week. I can stay off my feet and elevate most of the day. The one thing that has made a huge difference is substituting crutches for a specialized rolling knee walker. I have a life and the crutches were awful. My injury is to my right foot and I have not been driving. Can anyone tell me at what point they were safe to drive? I guess I could try with my left foot at some point, I just don't want to risk an accident. Did you have any physical therapy? If so at what point in your recovery and did you feel it helped. Again thanks for sharing.

[whimsy]

Hi slp,
Yes, I learned to empathize with those physically challenged as well when I used my walker and wheelchair.

As for driving - I didn't drive for about 6 months after accident, but I might have been able to drive maybe a few weeks earlier.

I was off my feet for about 4 months total starting from initial injury and going to when I was able to walk any distance at all. My leg was a noodle after so much disuse, and unfortunately I didn't have insurance so no physical therapy.

I was attending college at the time and went in a wheelchair most of one semester.(Since I'm a non-traditional student, being around all those spry able-bodied folks probably spurred me up and about pretty quickly though due to pride if nothing else - lol)

I did have complications though, so remember, my milemarkers may be different than yours.

I wish you well. It's not easy, but just remember, back in the old days when someone suffered an injury like ours, they used to cut a good portion of the foot off since they had no way to repair it. Guess I'm glad I was born now - LOL.

Take care, and let us know how it goes.

~Whimsy