Midfoot Injuries No NFL Obstacle

Almost 93% of athletes with the National Football League (NFL) who sustained injuries to the midfoot were able to return to play in 15 months or less after their injury.

There was no observable difference in their performance according to research from the Perelmann School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The findings focus on Lisfranc injuries which are characterized by the fracture of the midfoot bones and disruption of the midfoot ligaments.

“While Lisfranc injuries have a reputation for resulting in poor player performance in the NFL, our study is the first to fully assess their career impact, including effect on athletic performance following return to competition, ” said lead author Kevin J. McHale, M.D., a fifth-year orthopedic resident at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. “Our findings will assist sports physicians in setting realistic goals and expectations when selecting a plan of care. They will also help address such important questions from athletes as ‘Will I ever play again? Will I be back in time for playoffs? How will this injury affect my performance after I return?’

Lisfranc injuries can occur when a player lands on the heel of another player’s foot, or when a player’s cleats embed in the turf as they maneuver, resulting in a fracture or dislocation of the midfoot. Or the injuries may be a result of shoe companies using lighter weight materials and increasing the flexibility of players’ shoes.

The Penn researchers report that they found no statistically significant difference in time to return to play or games missed when comparing offensive and defensive players.