: Assessment and Treatment Introduction The chopart joint refers to the articulation of the hindfoot and the midfoot.
: Assessment and Treatment The chopart joint refers to the articulation of the hindfoot and the midfoot. It is characterized by the talonavicular joint and calcaneocuboid joint. The term ‘chopart’ refers to French surgeon Francois Chopart, who performed amputations through this joint in cases of necrosis of the forefoot.
Francois Chopart, inventor of the partial foot amputation at the tarsometatarsal articulation. Orthop Traumatol 12:341–344, 200[/ref] The joint primarily allows for inversion and eversion of the foot relative to the ankle. XR and Illustration of the chopart joint anatomy. Injuries to the Chopart joint, often termed Chopart Complex Injuries (CCI) are rare and poorly described in the literature.
The incidence is estimated at about 3.6 per 100,000 person years. Similar to lisfranc injuries, CCIs can be thought of as a spectrum of disease from soft tissue injuries to complex fracture-dislocations depending on the etiology.
About 10-25% are purely ligamentous, with the rest involving fracture dislocations. Etiology Loosely, there are two major etiologies. High energy mechanisms such as a motor vehicle crash or fall from height can lead to fracture-dislocations.
Low energy mechanisms involve a twisting force on a plantarflexed foot. Low energy mechanisms can also lead to avulsion fractures. Crush injuries have also been described and are more likely to have significant neurovascular compromise.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to chopart complex injuries, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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