What type of injury usually leads to dropped cuneiforms/navicular/cuboid?

• A. Landing injuries (stepped off a curb) or dropping heavy objects on the foot
• B. Overuse from running
• C. Direct compression of the lateral malleolus
• D. Plantar fasciitis

Answer: (A)

Midfoot instability from a traumatic axial load injures the tarsometatarsal joints, causing the midfoot bones to drop or collapse. When you land hard or have a heavy object dropped on the foot, the forefoot is driven into plantarflexion and under axial force, which disrupts the Lisfranc (midfoot) complex and allows the cuneiforms, navicular, and cuboid to shift downward relative to the metatarsals. This pattern is classic for a midfoot crush/dislocation rather than an overuse problem or an ankle or plantar fascia issue. Overuse from running tends to produce stress fractures or tendinopathies rather than a sudden midfoot collapse; direct compression of the lateral malleolus is an ankle injury; plantar fasciitis causes heel pain without dropping midfoot bones.