I found this thread when I had a database error that would not let me reopen an existing InDesign file. I resolved the problem more or less by accident. Here is what I did:
I created a new document and used the place command to place the corrupted document. I selected the show options box in the dialogue box. This let me look through the document I wanted to place (the corrupted document). While I looked through it, InDesign appeared to be recompiling the fonts and links. I placed a page into the new document (although I don’t think this step was important, I think the repair had already been completed by this time).
I then was able to open the corrupted document. This reminded me of the problems PageMaker used to have with file corruption and how it could be repaired through steps that forced the software to recompile the document.
Sorry if I haven’t used the most technically correct language here, I am not a techie, I just stumbled onto a solution.