Cuboid Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Cuboid syndrome is a condition that results when the cuboid bone in the foot becomes dislocated or misaligned. This can lead to pain, swelling in the foot, and difficulty walking.
Cuboid syndrome is often caused by injuries, such as a fall or direct blow to the foot. However, it can also be caused by wearing shoes that do not fit correctly or overuse.
Why is the Cuboid Bone important?
The Cuboid is essential for two main reasons:
- It helps to stabilize the arch of the foot.
- It provides a point of attachment for several muscles and ligaments that help to move the foot and ankle.
Lateral foot pain
“Cuboid syndrome is an underappreciated cause of lateral midfoot pain. “
The most common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain on the outside of the foot. This pain is usually worse when walking or running and may become severe enough to limit your ability to participate in activities.
The pain is often caused by the dislocation or misalignment of the cuboid bone. This can lead to inflammation and swelling in the foot. You may also feel a popping or clicking sensation when the Cuboid moves out of place.
Cuboid Bone: Anatomy and mechanics
The Cuboid bone is one of the five bones that make up the midfoot section of the foot. The Cuboid is located on the lateral, or outside, aspect of the foot behind the fourth and fifth metatarsals (long bones in the foot).
The Cuboid plays an important role in stabilization and balance. It also helps to transmit weight from the metatarsals to the heel bone (calcaneus).
Which muscles affect the cuboid bone?
The muscles that interact with the Cuboid are:
- Peroneus Longus muscle (Fibularis Longus) and Peroneus Brevis Muscle (Fibularis Brevis), which evert (outward rotation) the foot at the ankle.
- Tibialis posterior, which inverts (inward rotation) the foot at the ankle
- Flexor Digitorum Longus and Brevis, which flex the toes.
These muscles help to stabilize the foot and allow for proper balance when walking or standing. Cuboid syndrome can occur when these muscles become weak or tight, resulting in the Cuboid becoming dislocated or misaligned.
Which tendons are important to the cuboid bone?
Two tendons also stabilize the Cuboid:
- The Peroneus Longus Tendon attaches the Peroneus Longus muscle to the Cuboid, while the
- Peroneus Brevis Tendon attaches the Peroneus Brevis muscle to the Cuboid.
Which ligaments are important to the cuboid bone?
There are three main ligaments that connect the Cuboid to the other bones in the foot. These ligaments help to stabilize the Cuboid and prevent it from becoming dislocated or misaligned.
- The Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) connects the Cuboid to the Fibula (the smaller of the two bones in the lower leg).
- The Anterior and Posterior Tibiofibular ligaments connect the Cuboid to the Tibia (the larger of the two bones in the lower leg).
- The Cuboideonavicular ligament (CBD) connects the Cuboid to the Navicular bone (located in the midfoot).
What are the symptoms of cuboid Syndrome?
Pain on the outside of the foot is the most frequent symptom of cuboid syndrome. This pain is usually worse when you walk or stand on your feet for long periods. Other symptoms may include:
- Swelling: cuboid syndrome often causes swelling on the outside of the foot.
- Bruising: The foot may also bruise easily due to the misaligned cuboid bone.
- Tenderness: You may feel tenderness when you touch the affected area.
- Redness: The skin around the cuboid bone may look red and irritated.
- Stiffness: The Cuboid may feel stiff and difficult to move.
- Difficulty walking: cuboid syndrome can make it difficult to walk or even stand on your feet for long periods.
Pronated or Flat Feet
One common cause of cuboid syndrome is overpronation or flat feet. When you pronate, your foot rolls inward too much when you walk. This change in position can put too much pressure on the cuboid bone and cause it to become dislocated or misaligned.
Overpronation can be caused by several factors, including genetics, injury, or even the type of shoes you wear. For example, people with flat feet or high arches are more likely to pronate due to altered foot biomechanics.
What else can cause Cuboid syndrome?
Other causes of cuboid syndrome include:
- Ankle sprain: A sprained ankle can cause the cuboid bone to dislocate or misalign.
- Arthritis: Arthritis of the foot can damage the ligaments that support the cuboid bone and lead again to its dislocation or misalignment.
- Direct blow: A direct blow to the foot, such as from a fall or car accident, can cause the d bone to become dislocated or misaligned.
- Overuse: Repeated stress on the foot, such as from running or jumping, can lead to the d bone becoming dislocated or misaligned.
- Landing on foot after a jump can also cause the cuboid bone to become dislocated or misaligned.
- Shoes that don’t fit properly: Wearing shoes that are too tight or loose can also lead to Cuboid syndrome. Shoes that are too tight can put pressure on the Cuboid and cause it to become dislocated or misaligned. Shoes that are too loose can cause your foot to pronate, which can also lead to Cuboid syndrome.
What is an inversion ankle sprain?
Inversion ankle sprains occur when the foot rolls inward, causing the ligaments on the outside of the ankle to stretch or tear. This type of injury can also lead to cuboid syndrome.
Inversion ankle sprains are one of the most common types of ankle injuries. They often occur during sports or other physical activities.
Athletes and cuboid syndrome
Cuboid syndrome is common in athletes, especially those who participate in sports that involve jumping or running. This is often because the cuboid bone and surrounding structures are under a lot of stress when you are active.
Athletes may also be more likely to suffer from cuboid syndrome if they have pronated feet or low arch feet. The altered foot mechanics can put extra stress on the cuboid bone.
How do you diagnose cuboid Syndrome?
Cuboid syndrome is often diagnosed based on your symptoms and a physical exam.
They will check for tenderness, swelling, and bruising during the exam.
Your doctor or other recognized health care provider may also order X-rays or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to confirm the diagnosis.
How can Cuboid Syndrome be misdiagnosed?
Cuboid syndrome is often misdiagnosed as a sprained ankle. This is because symptoms, such as pain and swelling, are similar to those of a sprained ankle.
Cuboid syndrome is also sometimes misdiagnosed as tendonitis. Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons, which are the tissues that connect muscles to bones.
The symptoms of cuboid syndrome and tendonitis can be similar. Still, tendonitis usually affects the tendons in the foot, not the cuboid bone.
It is essential to see a doctor if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of cuboid syndrome so that you can receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
What other foot injuries include the cuboid bone?
Several common foot injuries can involve the cuboid bone, including:
Cuboid fracture
- A cuboid fracture is a break in the cuboid bone.
- This can be caused by a fall or direct blow to the lateral foot.
- Symptoms of a cuboid fracture include pain, swelling, and bruising.
Cuboid subluxation
- A subluxed cuboid is when the cuboid bone becomes partially dislocated.
- This can be caused by overuse or repetitive stress on the foot.
- Symptoms of cuboid subluxation include pain, tenderness, and swelling.
Cuboid dislocation
- Cuboid dislocation is when the cuboid bone becomes completely dislocated.
- This can be caused by a fall or a direct blow to the foot.
- Symptoms of cuboid dislocation include pain, tenderness, swelling, and bruising.
Cuboid fractures, subluxations, and dislocations are all serious injuries that can cause lasting damage to the foot. Suppose you think you may have any of these injuries. In that case, it is essential to immediately see a doctor or other recognized health care provider.
Cuboids' effect on posture
Cuboid Syndrome can also affect your posture. When the cuboid bone is misaligned, it tends to move the rest of the bones in your foot. Pain and difficulties walking or standing are possible outcomes.
Poor foot mechanics can lead to alterations further up the body (or formally along the kinetic chain) and cause the knee, hip, and back to be misaligned.
How to treat cuboid syndrome
Rest: Cuboid syndrome often improves with rest. You may need to stay off your feet for a few days or weeks to allow the d bone to heal.
Ice: Applying ice to the affected area can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Compression: Wearing a compression bandage can also help reduce swelling.
Elevation: Keeping your foot elevated above the level of your heart can help reduce swelling.
Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen, can help relieve pain.
Stretching and strengthening exercises: Exercising to stretch and strengthen the muscles and ligaments around the cuboid bone can help prevent d syndrome from recurring.
Cuboid taping: Cuboid taping is a type of tape applied to the foot to help support the cuboid bone.
Ankle or foot brace: Wearing an ankle or foot brace can help support the d bone and reduce pain.
Orthotics: Orthotics are devices worn in the shoe to help support the foot. They can be custom-made or over-the-counter.
Cuboid manipulation: Cuboid manipulation is a treatment that involves manually moving the cuboid bone into its proper position. This is usually done by a chiropractor, osteopath, physical therapist, or other trained health care provider.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to realign the cuboid bone.
Finally
Cuboid Syndrome is a condition that can cause pain and difficulty walking. Therefore, it is essential to see a doctor or other recognized health care provider if you think you may have Cuboid Syndrome to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
PLEASE NOTE
PostureGeek.com does not provide medical advice. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical attention. The information provided should not replace the advice and expertise of an accredited health care provider. Any inquiry into your care and any potential impact on your health and wellbeing should be directed to your health care provider. All information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care or treatment.