Ever heard of cuboid syndrome? *No*. We thought so… You’re probably thinking what a cuboid even is? Does cuboid syndrome hurt? Now, before you go and consult with Dr. Google, we’ll provide you with some information about this condition and how we can help get you back to what you love doing pain-free!
What is cuboid syndrome?
The cuboid is a bone located on the outside of your foot. Cuboid syndrome may occur when the cuboid bone moves out of position with the other joints surrounding it. Therefore, pain on the outside of your foot that increases with weight-bearing activity (ie: walking or running) may be due to cuboid syndrome.
What are the symptoms?
Your symptoms may be the following:
- Pain on the outside of your foot
- Pain often described as either being a dull/ache or sharp/acute
- Swelling over the affected area
- Wearing flat shoes or being bare-footed when walking may aggravate pain
What causes cuboid syndrome?
- Recent ankle sprain
- Increased BMI
- Tendons that insert on the cuboid pull it out of position
- Foot posture
- High-heeled shoes
- Muscle tightness
- Muscle weakness
- More common in runners and dancers
How can we help?
There are a variety of treatment options that we can offer to help you. These include:
- Activity modification (doing more of things that don’t flare up your pain and less of the things that do)
- Ice and/or anti-inflammatory medication to settle down the pain
- Footwear assessment and advice
- Reducing muscle tightness and improving muscle strength
- Foot mobilisation therapy to help re-align the joints
- Orthotics to reduce load on the cuboid and improve foot function
- Recommend a surgical opinion if deemed necessary
Sound familiar? Don’t let the pain get worse and stop you from doing what you love! For individual advice regarding your feet, feel free to contact us or book an appointment online
