A fracture of the cuboid is rare because it is located in a protected area of the midfoot. A fractured cuboid may result from a bone fracture due to a direct blow to the lateral aspect of the foot from a falling object or bone injury from compression in a motor vehicle collision. They may also occur from avulsions involving the ligaments of the cuboid bone. These injuries are attributed to spraining of the ankles because of the twisted foot injury with adducting of the forefoot and inversion of the hindfoot.

A cuboid bone fracture from a catastrophic accident may have lasting consequences. If it occurred because of negligence, you deserve compensation for your losses. Get started today by calling our personal injury lawyers in Sacramento for free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

At our law firm, we are committed to seeking justice and fair compensation on behalf of clients who have been harmed through the negligence or recklessness of others. We believe that accidents resulting in serious injuries, such as broken cuboids, should not have occurred and that our clients should not have to pay for someone else’s wrongdoing. Our legal team has the experience, skills, and resources necessary in overcoming the tactics that insurance companies may use to dispute, devalue, and deny bone fracture claims. With this, we can build a strong personal injury case for the fair compensation necessary in moving forward. Contact us today to learn more about the legal process and receive free, friendly case advice.

The cuboid is a bone that is described as the shape of a wedge and is considered vital for supporting the lateral column. It is responsible for the articulation of all movements of the foot. This includes the fourth and fifth metatarsals, lateral cuneiform, and the calcaneus.

A break in the cuboid is rare because of its unique bone anatomy. They generally require immediate treatment to ensure a prompt diagnosis. Clinical evaluation may include a thorough assessment of the soft tissues and skin, physical examination, and patient history. Other procedures helpful in diagnostic testing and the planning of preoperative procedures may include:

• Computed Tomography (CT): This may provide more details on the size, exact area, and patterns of breaks in the cuboid. It may also be useful in determining related injuries like dislocation and fractures of other bones of the foot and healing progression.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): In diagnosing cuboid fractures in both adults and children, MRIs are essential in providing sensitive and valuable examinations.
• Scintigraphy: Through scintigraphy, it may determine the focal uptake in the bone and contribute to the early diagnosis of a fractured cuboid. This is especially true in stress fractures in adolescence with negative preliminary physical exams and non-diagnostic imaging.
• Sonography: While sonography is generally not the top method for detecting breaks in the cuboid, it may serve as a quick and reliable method when there is a presence of painful swelling adjacent to the bone.

In terms of a classification system, there is no universal method. They are generally classified by the characteristics they present, such as comminuted fracture, avulsion, involvement of articulations or joints, and displaced fragments. According to the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), broken cuboids are subdivided into three main groups:

• Group A: Simple fractures of the extraarticular surfaces
• Group B: Fractures of the metatarsocuboid or calcaneocuboid joints
• Group C: Fractures of both joints

The three main classification groups are further subdivided from the complex ones to the simplest in each category. This is based upon the unique anatomical position of each broken bone and the level. They are denoted with lower numbers characterizing simple fractures and higher numbers indicating the most complex breaks in the cuboid.

A fracture of the cuboid bone may be managed either through surgical or nonsurgical procedures. Surgery may include open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or closed reduction and external fixation (CREF). Such procedures are generally reserved for intraarticular and compressed fractures. ORIF may be necessary for allowing the surface of the joint to be anatomic and prevent long-term issues, including arthritis in the outermost region of the midfoot.

Conservative and nonsurgical methods for nondisplaced fractures may include casting or splinting for six to eight weeks. For the regression of symptoms, walking with partial weight-bearing may be recommended only if there is clinical evidence suggesting ligamentous and bony stability. Some of the potential complications that may arise with treatment include degenerative arthritis, reduced length of the lateral column, stiffness, and pain.

Cuboid bone fractures are not always identified immediately because of the difficulty in interpreting findings from radiology and the unique anatomy of the foot. Delayed diagnosis and effective medical treatment of injuries to the cuboid may adversely impact the foot and its biomechanics.

This may include insufficiency in the posterior tibial tendon, forefoot abduction from the loss of length in the lateral column, and planus deformity related to compensatory hindfoot eversion. Articulations of the tarsal bones affected by anatomical disorders may lead to a deformity of the foot, painful arthritis, and stiffness.

Failing to seek immediate medical treatment may be detrimental to a patient’s health and the outcome of their personal injury case for an accident. Delays or gaps in medical treatment and missed appointments are some of the many defenses that insurance carriers use to downplay the value of cases, particularly those involving broken bones. To protect yourself, seek medical care right away and speak with an experienced attorney regarding your potential options for recovery based on the facts and circumstances in your case.

When a person has been hurt in an accident in California, the individual responsible for causing the incident may be held financially accountable for the harm they have caused. This is generally done through a personal injury claim filed against the insurance company representing the at-fault party. Insurers are expected to provide claimants with the full and fair compensation they need out of good faith. This is especially true in cases of fractured cuboid bones.

A financial recovery should be enough to cover economic damages such as past and future medical care expenses, lost income, loss of future earning capacity, and out-of-pocket costs for home renovations to accommodate a permanent injury or disability. Compensation should also consider the full extent of intangible harms such as pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, loss of consortium, and other non-economic damages.

The costs related to the treatment of broken bones may be significant, especially if surgery is necessary and the claimant is out of work temporarily or permanently because of their injuries. That is why it is essential to retain an experienced personal injury lawyer to protect your rights and best interests against difficult insurance carriers.

Without a doubt, insurance companies will do everything in their power to dispute financial liability for an accident resulting in injury. In the case of a broken bone, the insurer may claim that pre-existing medical conditions are to blame.

In such situations, it is essential to have comprehensive records by physicians explaining any medical issues suffered in the past. Having this may help prove that the medical condition was worsened by the accident caused by their insured. There must be records by medical professionals detailing all exacerbations of pre-existing medical conditions after the incident to prove this.

Fortunately, a skilled personal injury lawyer may help with this. For details on how to find the best attorney to handle your bone fracture case, watch the video below.

When a personal injury case proceeds to litigation, the insurance company may retain a defense attorney that works in their best interests to save costs. An independent medical examiner specializing in broken bone cases may be retained, particularly those involving the cuboid bone. Some of the possible defenses in these cases may include denying the accident caused the injury or disputing the severity of the medical condition.

Litigation of a fractured cuboid bone case may present many unique challenges, some of which should be left to an experienced injury lawyer to handle. Such cases are subject to strict filing criteria and deadlines, including the two-year statute of limitations, as outlined in California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Depending on the facts surrounding the case, other time limits may apply. Remember that unlike the insurance company and defense counsel, your attorney will have your best interests at heart.

Contact our Sacramento-based personal injury law firm for assistance if you have sustained a bone fracture in a catastrophic accident caused by another person or entity’s negligent acts. Our attorneys represent injured parties across California. We are prepared to handle your case and put our experience, skills, and resources to work for you.

You do not deserve to pay for any costs associated with a crash that was not your fault. Allow our team of injury lawyers to seek fair compensation from at-fault parties and obtain the justice you are rightfully owed. We are available anytime to meet with you and your family to offer free, friendly advice on your potential case. Reach out to us today by phone at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 to discuss your situation with a member of our legal team.

Photograph Source: By “valelopardo” via Pixabay

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