Boston Red Sox reliever, Andrew Miller, has been placed on the disabled list due to a ligamentous injury (believed to be the LisFranc's Ligament) that required season ending surgery.
The purpose of this blog is to discuss LisFranc's injuries, not this specific player.  The LisFranc's Joint involves the articulation between the metatarsal bones and tarsal bones.  The LisFranc's
ligament, which this player may have injured, joins two bones (the first cuneiform and second metatarsal bone) and is a very strong and important ligament for stabilizing the foot.
The metatarsal bones may also be fractured or broken and displaced (shifted) with this type of injury.

This injury can be caused by a variety of conditions:  falls, something dropping on this portion of the foot or crushing it, or situations where the foot is plantarflexed aggressively (pointed downward).  Athletes
are suffering from this injury more frequently in recent years, maybe due to better diagnosis and testing, or possibly, due to greater intensity with certain sports.  The patient will suffer from pain, swelling, and difficulty standing
or walking on the foot.

Conventional x-rays, along with MRI or CT studies, are needed to adequately diagnose this condition.  Depending on the severity, casting or surgery may be needed to treat the injury, and physical therapy is
often needed.

If you have a foot injury, please contact Dr. Bender at Advanced Physical Medicine for an evaluation.  Dr. Bender is a foot and ankle specialist and has been in practice since 2001.  Dr. Bender was a figure skater for 19 years, so
she understands how injuries can impact an athlete's life.  Call 708-763-0580 (Oak Park) or 773-776-3166 (63rd St./Chicago).