Question
Hi. I had a question about an MRI report of my injuries. First off, I was hurt about 7 weeks ago. I was told for the first month that it was a severe sprain and some torn tendons. Now, 3 months later I found out that I actually have...comminuted but minimally displaced fracture involving the cuboid bone.....dont know exactly what that means but that cuboid is fractured. dont know what all the rest means. and it says most of the fracturing involves the plantar and distal portions of the bone and some of the fracturing may go through the articular surface at the 4th and 5th tarsometatarsal joints. again, dont know what that means either. and it also says...localized marrow edema of the distal/lateral aspect of the calcancus, near the calcaneocuboid joint. and finally it says....effusions are seen of the tibitotalar and subtalar joints, nonspecific but probably reactive. now i dont know what any of this means really. and i wanted to know what does it mean and how long of a process is healing from this? guessing. I mean, its been 3 months, i was told to be on crutches at first then i have been in a immob boot for 2 months and im still swollen, still in alot of pain in the top of my foot, my ankle and my heel and back of ankle (right above heel) its very swollen there! i mean i cant even sleep on my stomach cause it hurts to have my leg straight with my foot flat like that and it kills me to be sideways....i just dont understand why i am still so bad off. thanks for your help!!!

Answer
Sounds like a pretty bad injury.  The good news is eventhough it was treated as a sprain, it sounds like the immobilization you went through is also suitable for the fracture.  If the fracture is not healing properly, it can be the source of your continued pain.  While I still would expect swelling at this point, it sounds like your pain is out of line for what it should be.

I suggest a repeat MRI or CT to evaluate the cuboid.  If the fracture is not healing, it may require the application of a bone stimulator or possibly surgery to heal.

All the best,
Andrew Schneider, DPM

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