OBJECTIVES: 

To determine the postoperative trajectory and recovery of patients who undergo Lisfranc open reduction and internal fixation using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function (PF) and pain interference (PI).

METHODS:  Design: 

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: 

Level 1 trauma center.

Patient Selection Criteria: 

Patients who underwent Lisfranc open reduction and internal fixation between January 2002 and December 2022 with documented PROMIS PF and/or PI scores after surgery.

Outcome Measures and Comparisons: 

PROMIS PF and PI were mapped over time up to 1 year after surgery. A subanalysis was performed to compare recovery trajectories between high-energy and low-energy injuries.

RESULTS: 

A total of 182 patients were included with average age of 38.7 (SD 15.9) years (59 high-energy and 122 low-energy injuries). PROMIS PF scores at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 weeks were 30.2, 31.4, 39.2, 43.9, and 46.7, respectively. There was significant improvement in PROMIS PF between 6 and 12 weeks (P < 0.001), 12–24 weeks (P < 0.001), and 24–48 weeks (P = 0.022). A significant difference in PROMIS PF between high and low-energy injuries was seen at 0 week (28.4 vs. 31.4, P = 0.010). PROMIS PI scores at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 weeks were 62.2, 58.5, 56.6, 55.7, and 55.6, respectively. There was significant improvement in PROMIS PI 0–6 weeks (P = 0.016). A significant difference in PROMIS PI between high-energy and low-energy injuries was seen at 48 weeks with scores of (58.6 vs. 54.2, P = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONS: 

After Lisfranc open reduction and internal fixation, patients can expect improvement in PF up to 1 year after surgery, with the biggest improvement in PROMIS PF scores between 6 and 12 weeks and PROMIS PI scores between 0 and 6 weeks after surgery. Regardless the energy type, Lisfranc injuries seem to regain comparable PF by 6–12 months after surgery. However, patients with higher energy Lisfranc injuries should be counseled that these injuries may lead to worse PI at 1 year after surgery as compared with lower energy injuries.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.