Midfoot Pain After a Fall? Know the Signs | Foot & Ankle Centers

Lisfranc Injury Symptoms: Midfoot Pain After a Fall or Twist

A fall, twist, sports injury, or misstep can sometimes cause more than a simple foot sprain. When pain is centered in the middle of the foot, it may point to a Lisfranc injury, which affects the bones and ligaments that support the midfoot.

The Lisfranc joint helps stabilize the arch and plays an important role in balance, walking, pushing off the ground, and bearing weight. When this area is injured, the foot may become unstable and painful to stand on.

At Foot & Ankle Centers, Dr. Tavakoli, Dr. Treleven, and Dr. Knapp evaluate foot injuries for patients in Frisco, McKinney, Little Elm, and Plano, Texas. Because Lisfranc injuries can look like a less serious sprain, proper podiatry evaluation is important when midfoot pain does not feel right.

What Is a Lisfranc Injury?

A Lisfranc injury is damage to the midfoot joints, bones, or ligaments that help hold the arch in place. This injury may involve stretched ligaments, torn ligaments, fractures, or joint displacement. In mild cases, the foot may feel painful and swollen but still look fairly normal. In more severe cases, the bones may shift out of alignment, making it very difficult to stand or walk.

Lisfranc injuries can happen from high-impact trauma, such as a car accident or a fall from a height, but they can also happen from everyday accidents. A simple twist, missed step, sports movement, or awkward landing can place enough force on the midfoot to cause damage.

These injuries are commonly seen in athletes, active adults, workers who spend time on uneven surfaces, and people who fall with the foot planted. However, they can happen to anyone.

“Midfoot pain is not something I want patients to brush off after a fall or twist,” says Dr. Tavakoli. “If the middle of the foot is swollen, bruised, or painful to stand on, it is better to get it checked than risk making the injury worse.”

Common Symptoms of a Lisfranc Injury

Lisfranc injuries can cause foot pain that feels different from a typical ankle sprain. The pain is usually centered in the middle of the foot rather than around the ankle. Symptoms may appear right away or become more noticeable after standing or walking.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain and swelling in the midfoot
• Bruising on the top or bottom of the foot
• Difficulty or inability to bear weight
• Pain that worsens with standing or walking
• Tenderness when pressure is applied to the middle of the foot
• A feeling of instability or weakness in the arch

Bruising on the bottom of the foot can be an especially important warning sign. While not every patient will have this symptom, it may suggest a more significant midfoot injury and should be evaluated promptly.

Some people try to keep walking because the injury does not always look dramatic from the outside. However, continuing to place weight on an unstable midfoot may worsen the injury and increase the risk of long-term problems.

Why Should Midfoot Pain Be Evaluated Quickly?

Midfoot pain should be evaluated quickly because untreated Lisfranc injuries can lead to chronic pain, arch collapse, arthritis, instability, and difficulty walking. Since the Lisfranc joint helps support the foot’s structure, damage in this area can affect how weight is distributed with every step.

A podiatrist, like those at Foot & Ankle Centers, may examine the foot, review how the injury happened, check swelling and bruising, and use imaging to look for fractures, joint widening, or bone displacement. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury and may include immobilization, rest, staying off the foot, advanced treatment, or surgery if alignment and stability need to be restored.

Early diagnosis matters because what looks like a sprain may need more protection than a patient realizes.

Treatment and Recovery for Lisfranc Injuries

Recovery from a Lisfranc injury depends on the type and severity of damage. Some patients may need a boot, cast, crutches, or other support to protect the foot while it heals. Others may need surgical care if bones or joints have shifted out of position.

The goal of treatment is to restore stability, protect the arch, reduce pain, and help the patient return to safe movement. Recovery may also include physical therapy, gradual weight-bearing, supportive footwear, and follow-up visits to monitor healing.

At Foot & Ankle Centers, the podiatry team evaluates midfoot injuries carefully to determine the safest next step. Dr. Tavakoli, Dr. Treleven, and Dr. Knapp provide personalized care for foot and ankle injuries in Frisco, McKinney, and Little Elm, Texas.

If you have midfoot pain after a fall, twist, or injury, do not assume it is just a sprain. Schedule an appointment with Foot & Ankle Centers for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan designed to protect your foot health.

Published by the Foot & Ankle Centers podiatry team | Serving Frisco, Little Elm, and McKinney, TX | (972) 712-7773

Educational purposes only. Not medical advice