CME OnDemand: 2022 AOFAS Annual Meeting-Outcomes of Lisfranc Injuries in NCAA Football Players

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A study conducted by the Penn State College of Medicine examined the outcomes of Lisfranc injuries in NCAA football players. Lisfranc injuries are relatively rare but typically season-ending injuries in football players. The study aimed to determine the rate of return to play (RTP) for Division I football players who sustained a Lisfranc injury and analyze the effects on their athletic performance and career outcomes.<br /><br />Between 2012 and 2017, 60 Lisfranc injuries were identified, with 48 of them affecting underclassmen players. The underclassmen athletes returned to play in the immediate season following their injury at a rate of 87.5%. Quarterbacks were the only position that showed significant differences compared to uninjured controls, particularly in interceptions per game.<br /><br />Overall, all positions experienced mild performance declines or stagnation across various statistics, but there was no significant impact on career outcomes. Thirty-three point three percent of athletes who sustained a Lisfranc injury went on to perform at the NFL Combine, and 31.3% played in at least one NFL game. These percentages were comparable to the control group.<br /><br />The study concluded that Division I football players have a high rate of returning to play after Lisfranc injuries and maintain their athletic performance. The injuries do not seem to have a significant impact on an athlete's ability to compete at an NFL level.<br /><br />The study provides valuable information for managing patient expectations after Lisfranc injuries and offers reassurance that the injury is unlikely to have a substantial impact on an athlete's career. Limitations of the study include not assessing operative vs. non-operative outcomes and not quantifying the timeline for return to play due to data ambiguity at the NCAA level.

Asset Subtitle

Peter Tortora, Brandon Portnoff, Ahmed Abdeen, Zachary Koroneos, BS, Michael C. Aynardi, MD

Keywords

Lisfranc injuries

NCAA football players

return to play

athletic performance

career outcomes

underclassmen players

quarterbacks

interceptions per game

NFL Combine

NFL game