What is a Lisfranc injury?
A Lisfranc injury occurs that the midportion of the foot where the metatarsal (long) bones meet the tarsal bones. A Lisfranc injury can involve sprains, fractures, dislocations, or fracture/dislocations of the ligaments/bones involved at the midfoot. During the Jaguars’ third preseason game, Travis Etienne suffered a sprain injury.
A Lisfranc injury occurs when the toes are extended and an axial force (coming from top-down) applies stress to the aforementioned structures. A sprain can be managed conservatively with rehab, but in the case of Travis Etienne if the ligament is torn then surgery is required.
Lisfranc Injury Rehab
A typical rehab regime includes:
– 6 week period of no weight being placed on the foot
– 4-6 weeks of progressively adding weight to the foot
– Several months of regaining strength, power, and ROM
* Ligaments of the foot are typically poorly vascularized and this can prolong healing.
What is Etienne’s Recovery Outlook?
Travis Etienne will miss the entire 2021 football season. His rehab will be focused on being able to extend the toes and then pushing off the foot simulating running/cutting. The injured midfoot will need to be stable following surgery to allow for him to push off correctly.
If you have Etienne in dynasty, you should trade him for as much value as you can get. Lisfranc injuries are hard to return from and James Robinson’s stock will likely only continue to increase if he can have another great year.
