Cuboid Fracture

I fractured my cuboid bone over 5 months ago from an injury sustained when I jumped from my boat onto a floating dock, Struck a rotten board that collapsed lodging my foot in place as I fell over.  It was not dx for 5 or 6 weeks.  A walking shoe was ordered and I continued to work and was told it should be fine in 2 or 3 weeks.  I thought it was healing, but for the past 1+ months the pain is increasing - arch/ankle.  The site of the fx has a hard bump and at the end of the day I have swelling in my ankle and sometimes my toes.  I was very active prior to the fx, but my mobility has become very limited.  I have been told by a PA and my GP that it is impossible that the pain can be caused by such an old fx.  I am desperate and would travel any place in the country to find help.  Any suggestions?  Lorraine

[Dr Vinod]

Check through an X-ray the healing of the cuboid. If your bones are intact and the healing of the fractured bone has taken place it would probably be to stiffness after the fracture, displaced tendons, muscles.

Take some anti inflammatory drugs and ask your Orthopaedician for some Physiotherapy. The cause of inflammation should be determined and treated accordingly. Take care!

[bcastellano]

Cuboid fracture can be very problematic.  The bone is complex in shape and usually the joint(s) is involved.   I am not surprised that you continue to have pain and swelling.   An MRI can be helpful in determining the cause of the problem.   An injection of mostly local anesthetic with perhaps some steroid into the joint can do two things.   It may give some relief for awhile but more importantly it helps isolate the etiology of the pain.  If a skilled foot and ankle specialist injects the joint and complete relief of pain occurs for at least of few hours it proves that the joint disruption is the problem.  You may find that a severe rocker soled shoe like an MBT or one of the cheaper knock offs (try Avon "Curves" sandal) gives some relief.  Hope this helps.

[Inconvenienced]

My injury to the cuboid bones sounds just like "boattyche".  My question for you is, when can I start wearing the rocker soled shoes?  I have had this fracture for 1 month.  I feel the bone growth and am wondering has it hardened yet?  I was told that new bones are soft and need time to harden.  How long would it take?  Thanks a bunch.