Chet Holmgren And His Lisfranc Injury

The 2022- 2023 season of NBA slightly lost its charm and broke several hearts when it was announced that Chet Holmgren wouldn’t be continuing this season because of his lisfranc injury to his right foot! The injury is so severe that the new player has to take rehab till the season of 2023- 2024. This period is going to act as a huge gap in his career when he has only just begun. This is not the first time a player is suffering from such an injury. Players prior to 2010 and 2017 have faced similar problems.

A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF lISFRANC INJURY

WHAT IS A LISFRANC INJURY?

The Lisfranc joint connects the tarsus to the bases of the metatarsals; the first three metatarsals do this with the three cuneiforms, while the fourth and fifth metatarsals do so with the cuboid.

The dorsal ligament, interosseous ligament, and plantar ligament are the three bands that the Lisfranc ligament uses to connect the medial cuneiform to the second metatarsal base.

The ligament plays a crucial role in “locking” the tarsometatarsal joint in place and serving as the foot’s primary transverse stabilizer by helping to wedge the base of the second metatarsal between the medial and lateral cuneiforms. The Lisfranc joint’s stability depends on its integrity.

HOW IS IT TREATED?

The goal of treatment, which can be either non-surgical or operational, is to have a foot that is painless, plantigrade, and stable 12.

Non-ambulatory patients, those with significant comorbidities who are at high risk for complications (such as severe vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, or pre-existing inflammatory arthritis), undisplaced injuries that are stable with weight bearing, and poor surgical candidates, such as these patients, are examples of those who should receive non-operative treatment 12.

An unstable injury is a sign that surgical treatment is necessary. These can be classified as either joint sacrificing or joint saving. Temporary fixation is a component of joint-saving surgery while waiting for ORIF and definitive management. Arthrodesis of the first, second, and third tarsometatarsal joints or midfoot arthrodesis are two procedures that sacrifice a joint.

IS THIS INJURY PRONE TO A BODY STRUCTURE?

While much has been made of (Holmgren’s) small body, (his) appearance alone does not suggest he has loose ligaments,” the statement reads. “Some athletes have loose ligaments that render them more susceptible to dislocations.