Lisfranc joint

Last revised by Andrew Murphy on 15 Jan 2024

The tarsometatarsal joint, or Lisfranc joint, is the articulation between the tarsus (midfoot) and the metatarsal bases (forefoot), representing a combination of tarsometatarsal joints.

The first three metatarsals articulate with the three cuneiforms, respectively, and the 4th and 5th metatarsals with the cuboid. The base of the 2nd metatarsal keystones into the cuneiforms where there is the important Lisfranc ligament. Numerous dorsal and plantar ligaments support all the tarsometatarsal, intermetatarsal and intertarsal joints and between each bone, there are strong interosseous ligaments. 

The joint is named after French surgeon Jacques Lisfranc de Saint-Martin (1790-1847) 1.

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