Short-Term Results of Lisfranc Injuries Treated with the Suture Button Technique

CATEGORY: Midfoot/Forefoot, Sports, Trauma INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Primary fixation with screws or plates or primary arthrodesis are considered the gold-standard surgical treatment options for Lisfranc injuries. However, drawbacks of these procedures include loss of joint motion, need for later hardware removal, injury of the articular surface by screws and nonunion. Interosseous suture buttons can be used as an alternative technique for fixation of Lisfranc lesions. Theoretically, it may overcome the disadvantages of the rigid construct provided by plates and screws and minimize the harm to the joint cartilage. The aim of the present study was to provide the short-term results of Lisfranc injuries treated with the suture button technique. METHODS: Sixteen consecutive patients with Lisfranc injuries requiring an operation were treated with the use of the Mini Tight Rope (Arthrex, Naples, FL) between April 2014 and November 2017. Medical records and radiographic images were retrospectively analyzed by independent observers with respect to functional outcomes, complications, need for reoperation and radiographic outcomes. The mean follow-up was 32 (range, 6-49) months. Functional outcomes were measured by the AOFAS midfoot score and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at the latest follow-up. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 32 months, the average AOFAS score was 95.8 (range, 82-100) and the mean VAS was 0.6 (range, 0-2). All patients but one were able to return to their previous activities. Twelve patients were very satisfied with the outcomes and four were satisfied or partially satisfied. A total of 9 complications were observed in 6 patients, with discomfort on the button insertion site being the most common (4 cases). Other complications included evidence of radiographic arthritis (3 cases), loss of reduction (1 case) and extensor hallucis longus tendinopathy (1 case). Only 1 patient required a reoperation for removal of the suture button. CONCLUSION: The use of the suture button for fixation of Lisfranc injuries showed excellent results in the short-term. This technique is potentially less harmful to the articular cartilage and generally does not require hardware removal. However, arthritis and/or loss of reduction were noted in 3 patients during follow-up, which could have been caused by the severity of the primary injury itself or by a lack of stability provided by the construct. Further studies are required to evaluate whether the suture button technique provides enough fixation to maintain reduction and prevent the development of arthritis in the long-term.