Injuries to the Chopart joint complex: a current review

Abstract

Chopart complex injuries (CCIs) are thought to be uncommon; however, recent literature states the rate of misdiagnosis to be between 20 and 41%. Chopart complex injuries are not ankle injuries, with which they are initially confused due to a similar mechanism of trauma in many cases. Injury to the Chopart complex commonly affects multiple structures. The key to optimal treatment is a high index of clinical suspicion combined with timely accurate imaging studies. Careful diagnostic workup with high-quality radiographs of the foot in neutral position should be obtained. Computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are recommended to accurately assess bone and soft tissue injury. CCI frequently leads to prolonged swelling, pain and disability. In some cases, it may result in a posttraumatic flatfoot deformity.

Case Report: An Unexpected Outcome of In Situ Fusion of the Calcaneo-Cuboid Joint

“…Only a few treatment options remain if the injury has led to painful posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the midfoot. In general, arthritis of the midfoot joints is treated with fusion of these joints in order to eliminate motion and thereby pain [12]. However, this procedure is only performed when the complaints outweigh the loss of function.…”

Low-Dose Radiotherapy Leads to a Systemic Anti-Inflammatory Shift in the Pre-Clinical K/BxN Serum Transfer Model and Reduces Osteoarthritic Pain in Patients

“…While the joint is not only of significant importance during the stance phase but also of utmost importance for pivoting movements, injuries can involve high as well as low energy forces. Mechanism of injury usually involves twisting force to the plantar flexed foot requiring carful diagnosis and high-quality radiographs ( 48 ). The high rates of up to 40% of misdiagnosis could therefore lead to long term chronic impairment ( 48 ).…”

“…Mechanism of injury usually involves twisting force to the plantar flexed foot requiring carful diagnosis and high-quality radiographs ( 48 ). The high rates of up to 40% of misdiagnosis could therefore lead to long term chronic impairment ( 48 ). Another explanation could be due to the joint of the tarsi transversa showing the highest maximum joint reaction forces among all joints of the foot, potentially hindering recovery ( 49 ).…”

Normal Anatomy and Traumatic Injury of the Midtarsal (Chopart) Joint Complex: An Imaging Primer

“…For example, commonly encountered often innocuous-appearing radiographic findings such as avulsions at the dorsal talonavicular joint or of the anterior process of the calcaneus are often not isolated injuries, but rather coexist with and herald a more extensive midtarsal joint injury (13). Similarly, as persistence of pain beyond 6-8 weeks-after conservative management of a lateral ankle sprain-often prompts evaluation with advanced imaging such as MRI, radiologists should scrutinize Chopart joint ligaments to detect a midtarsal sprain (14)(15)(16).…”