If you care about keeping your feet healthy and happy, you may want to know about a foot condition called cuboid syndrome. This condition occurs when the cuboid bone, located on the outer side of the foot, moves out of its proper place and alignment. Typically, this may happen as a result of suffering another injury, such as twisting the ankle. If you develop cuboid syndrome, you might feel any number of symptoms. For example, you might notice redness around the affected area or diminished strength in the smaller toes. Additionally, those with cuboid syndrome also may experience difficulty in trying to move the ankle. It is also possible that cuboid syndrome can cause the feet to swell around ligaments that have been affected. If you suspect that you might have cuboid syndrome, it is wise to consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with Bill Brown, DPM from Brown Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Scranton, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.