Long-term Functional Outcome and Satisfaction After Surgical Management of Cuboid Fractures

Cuboid fractures are rare, and there is a scarcity in evidence of the long-term functional outcome of these fractures in literature. This study aimed to evaluate functional outcome, complications, quality of life, and patient satisfaction after surgical treatment of cuboid fractures.

This retrospective study was conducted at a level 1 trauma center, reviewing patients ≥16 years with cuboid fractures operated between 2014 and 2024. Functional outcome was assessed using the Foot Function Index (FFI), the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score, and EQ-5D quality of life questionnaire. Complications such as nonunion, infection, and secondary arthrodesis were recorded.

The total cohort of surgically managed patients was 45 (28 females and 17 males), with a median age of 39.1 (IQR, 24.2) years and median follow-up of 67.0 (IQR, 91) months. A subset of 42 patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation within 4 weeks after the injury. Overall, AOFAS was fair to good (median 76, range 34-100) and treatment satisfaction was high (mean 8.7/10, SD 1.1). There were no infections and no cases of nonunion. Secondary calcaneocuboid joint fusion was required in only 2 patients. In multivariate linear regression analysis, the type of fixation (cuboid plate) was significantly associated with better AOFAS (P = .03, R ² 0.11).

Surgical intervention aimed at restoring articular congruence and column length with cuboid plate fixation can lead to union with overall fair to good functional outcome and high patient satisfaction.

Level III, retrospective cohort study.