Injuries of the Tarsometatarsal Joint

Yoo, Chong Il; Suh, Jeung Tak; Suh, Kuen Tak; Kim, Yong Jin; Kim, Hui Taeg; Wang, Kie Bong

Abstract

Because of the anatomical configuration of the tarsornetatarsal joints with their strong ligmanet connections, the injries in this regicon are rare. But the injury is associated with a high potential for chronic disability.Authors reviewed and clinically analysed 18 cases of tarsometatarsal joint injuries which were followed more than one year at the orthopedic department of Pusan National University durging the period from January 1986 to December 1990. The results were as follows ; 1. The incidence was higher in male and young active age group. 2. The most common cause of the injury was traffic accident (50.0%). 3. Tarsal and metatarsal fractures were commonly combined (61.1%) 4. The most frequent injury type by Hardcastles classification was total inconjgrulty type (55.5%). 5. Overall result estimated by Hardcastles criteria was good in 5 cases (27.8%), fair in 8 cases (44.4%), and poor in 5 cases (27.8%). 6. The causes of poor resulted cases were severe crushing injury, inadequate anatomical reduction, delayed treatment due to combind injury and loss of medial longitudinal arch. 7. Late complications such as traumatir arthrltis, paln and foot deformity were seen more than half of the cases.