It's called Lisfranc because Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin, a French surgeon and gynecologist serving in Napoleon's army, popularized a specific amputation at the tarsometatarsal joint (where the metatarsal bones connect to the tarsal bones in the midfoot).
Lisfranc's association with this anatomical region arose from his experience with soldiers who sustained foot injuries, particularly those resulting from falls from horseback where the foot became entrapped in the stirrup. One such soldier developed vascular compromise and gangrene.
Lisfranc's Contribution
Lisfranc performed amputations at the level of the tarsometatarsal joints to treat these severe injuries. This surgical technique, while not necessarily invented by Lisfranc, became strongly associated with his name because of his skill and the frequency with which he performed it. Therefore, the tarsometatarsal joint, and injuries affecting this area, have since been referred to as the "Lisfranc joint" and "Lisfranc injuries" respectively.
In essence, the name "Lisfranc" stuck because of:
- His surgical procedure: His method of amputation at the tarsometatarsal joint.
- His patient population: Treating soldiers with specific foot injuries.
- His prominence: He was a well-known surgeon in his time.
