Clinical outcomes of Tightrope system in the treatment of purely ligamentous Lisfranc injuries

Fan Yongfei and colleagues have reported cases of purely ligamentous Lisfranc injuries in which the Tightrope system could stabilize the tarsometatarsal joint and achieve a satisfactory effect.The purpose of this study was to see how the Tightrope system worked for reconstructing the Lisfranc ligament for elastic fixation.

The findings of case studies have been  published in the journal of BMC Surgery.

Purely ligamentous Lisfranc injuries are primarily caused by low energy damage and frequently necessitate surgical intervention. There are several operative techniques for rigid fixation that can be used to solve this clinical problem.

Researchers examined 11 cases of purely ligamentous Lisfranc injuries treated with the Tightrope system between 2016 and 2019, including 8 male and 3 female patients. After the operation, an X-ray was taken to measure the distance between the first and second metatarsal joints, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to assess pain relief. At the most recent follow-up, the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) and Maryland foot score were recorded.

The average duration of follow-up was 20.5 months (range, 17–24). When compared to preoperative values, there was a statistically significant difference in the distance between the first and second metatarsal joints and the VAS score at 3 months, 6 months, and the final follow-up. The postoperative AOFAS mid-foot scale and Maryland foot score mean values were 92.4 4.3 and 94.1 3.5, respectively. The Tightrope system was not removed, and the foot's biomechanical stability improved. During the procedure, there were no complications.

In conclusion, for patients with purely ligamentous Lisfranc injuries, reconstruction of the Lisfranc ligament with the Tightrope system can improve tarsometatarsal joint stability and foot function. More research is needed to assess the long-term effect and compare the disparity with other ligament reconstruction methods.

Reference:

Yongfei, F., Chaoyu, L., Wenqiang, X. et al. Clinical outcomes of Tightrope system in the treatment of purely ligamentous Lisfranc injuries. BMC Surg 21, 395 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-021-01394-x