Lisfranc ligament

Last revised by Henry Knipe on 11 Nov 2023

The Lisfranc ligament refers to the most important ligament of the Lisfranc joint ligamentous complex. It is one of the most commonly disrupted ligaments in midfoot injuries.

The ligament complex acts as an important stabilizer of the midfoot, connecting the medial cuneiform to the base of the second metatarsal creating a keystone-like configuration between the medial and lateral cuneiforms.

The research exploring the configuration of the Lisfranc Ligament complex is variable 6, however typically the Lisfranc ligament extends obliquely from the lateral surface of the medial cuneiform to the medial aspect of the base of the second metatarsal and is comprised of three bands 1,4 :

  • dorsal ligament: weakest

  • interosseous ligament ("Lisfranc ligament proper")

  • plantar ligament: sends bundles to the second and third metatarsal bases (variable)

The Lisfranc ligament can have a homogeneous low signal or striated appearance with low-to-intermediate signal intensity on MR images 1,3,4.

  • oblique coronal sequences

    • clearly display the transverse arch of the foot and clearly display the cross-section of the Lisfranc ligament

    • can clearly display the horizontal arch of the Lisfranc joint and more clearly display its surrounding ligaments and tendons

  • sagittal images

    • clearly display the corresponding situation of the Lisfranc joint bone and longitudinal arch of the foot

    • tolerably displays the Lisfranc joint dorsal ligament

    • poorly displays the Lisfranc ligament proper

This ligament is named after Jacques Lisfranc de Saint-Martin (1790-1847), French surgeon 2.

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