Lisfranc Joint Injury: A Comprehensive Review of Rehabilitation Duration in Basketball Athletes

Introduction Lisfranc injuries, characterized by abnormal forces on the tarsometatarsal (TMT) joints in the feet, are common foot injuries in athletes. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of Lisfranc injuries in advanced basketball athletes, including retirement rates and time to return (TTR) to play. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on advanced basketball athletes who suffered Lisfranc injuries. Data was collected from reputable news sources and cross-referenced for accuracy. The inclusion criteria encompassed multiple basketball leagues, including the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Men’s, and NCAA Women’s. The study evaluated the number of players who returned to play, their TTR, and the incidence of Lisfranc injuries in each league. Results Out of the 22 athletes included in the study, 73% (n=16) returned to play after a Lisfranc injury, while 27% retired from the sport. The average TTR for the athletes who resumed playing was 307 days (10.09 months). The average age of players who returned was 24.6 years, with the NBA having the highest average age of 29.5 years. The incidence of Lisfranc injuries varied across leagues, with the NFL having the highest incidence over a specific time span. Discussion The study highlights the significant impact of Lisfranc injuries within the NBA, with a substantial number of players opting for retirement after such injuries. The TTR for basketball athletes was longer compared to other sports, such as the NFL. The physical nature of football may explain the increased incidence of Lisfranc injuries in that sport. The rarity of Lisfranc injuries in basketball poses challenges in conducting statistical analyses, emphasizing the need for larger sample sizes and specific focus on basketball players in future research.