What Do Napoleon and a Gynecologist Have to Do With Taysom Hill?

No, this isn’t a joke from arch-rival Ute fans. What do Napoleon and a Gynecologist have to do with Taysom Hill? As a fan and alumnus of Brigham Young University, I wanted to answer the many texts and questions coming my way about Hill’s injury this weekend.

In one of the more thrilling college football opening games, BYU quarterback Taysom Hill left the game early for an apparent foot injury. While Hill was out, Freshman QB Tanner Mangum stepped in to convert a critical 4th and long before throwing an unbelievable Hail Mary to win the game. That was where the good news ended for the Cougars.

 Taysom Hill was considered a Heisman candidate before breaking his tibia last year and again before Saturday’s injury. Late in the 2nd quarter, Hill ran for a 21 yard touchdown. It was apparent as he hit the breaks in the endzone that he hobbled out of the endzone. He appeared to have slammed the breaks a little too aggressively. He returned in the 4th quarter and after an 8 yard scramble, Hill will went down and was in more considerable pain. Taysom never returned and was then diagnosed with a Lisfranc Injury.

The name comes from the gynecologist and surgeon Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin, who encountered many of Napoleon’s Cavalry injuries. The injuries were common to Napoleon’s men as the positioning of the foot in stirrups caused the forefoot would stay strapped in the stirrups while the body would fall off the horse, dislocating this jointLisfranc came across a gangrenous foot that was crushed in battle. The foot was amputated at the tarsal-metatarsal joint, which became known as the Lisfranc joint. .

Hill’s injury will most likely end his career. The Lisfranc joint, specifically the Lisfranc ligament, is the keystone of the arch of the foot. The 2nd metatarsal bone sits wedged in between the cuneiform bones creating the most stable joint in the foot. Injuries of the Lisfranc joint usually at least consist of spraining the ligament that courses from the metatarsal bone to the cuneiform bone. Major Lisfranc injuries involve dislocation of 1 or multiple metatarsal bones.

Hill’s injury remains confidential but it can be assumed that it is at least a Lisfranc ligament rupture with possibly a fracture to the metatarsal where the strong ligament inserts. Hill returned to the game after the initial injury, which could have been exacerbated from a mild Lisfranc injury to a more severe one. Hill is looking at possible surgical reduction and fixation of the fractured joint and/or dislocated joints. Recovery will be 4-6 weeks (immediately or after surgery) without bearing weight, followed by extensive physical therapy. Even after Hill is allowed to return to sports it is highly probable that his speed and cutting ability will never be the same.

Taysom Hill has overcome multiple knee and ankle injuries. I wish him the best of luck in his recovery. He and his family will be in our thoughts. If anyone can overcome the odds, it will be Taysom Hill.