Cuboid dislocations: Short and long term results and a review of the literature

Isolated cuboid dislocation is rare, with only 7 cases described in the literature. We describe three cases, two in professional rugby league players. The mechanism of injury was the same in the rugby league players with an external rotation injury to the midfoot during a tackle. The dislocation is easily missed on X-rays and CT would appear to be the investigation of choice. None of the dislocations could be reduced closed and all underwent open reduction and wire stabilisation. The wires were removed at 6 weeks. The short and long term functional results were good. Both rugby league players returned to play. One player was reviewed 6 years and 8 months post dislocation. He was still playing professional rugby league. His AOFAS midfoot score was 100. His X-rays however showed marked post traumatic arthritis in his 4th and 5th tarsometatarsal joints. Clinically this was asymptomatic. The second player was reviewed 4 years and 2 months after the injury, achieving an AOFAS Midfoot Score of 88/100. He reported some clicking and discomfort in the affected foot, particularly in the mornings. However, he did not require analgesia and had no limitations to activity.