Have you had a previous ankle sprain months ago and still experience pain on the outside part of your midfoot? Has the pain become so bad that bearing weight or simple movements are difficult? You may have a condition known as cuboid syndrome. This foot injury may not be as common as some other running pathologies, which leads to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Cuboid syndrome, otherwise known as cuboid-peroneal subluxation or cuboid fault syndrome, occurs due to a previous inversion ankle sprain or injury to a joint in your foot called the calcaneo-cuboid joint. This joint in located between your heel bone (calcaneus) and cuboid bone which is located on the outside part of your midfoot. When the peroneal tendon which travels under the cuboid bone become subluxed, or displaced, intense pain will likely be present on the outside part of your foot or it may even radiate above or below the site of injury. Runners will typically complain of pain and weakness in their foot during the push off phase. If you do not have considerable amounts of pain, you may notice a generalized/dull ache which may come and go at random times. 

Human bone anatomy for cuboid syndrome

Regardless of the nature of your pain, cuboid syndrome is a form of foot pain that needs professional care to restore proper function and return you to your previous activity level. The diagnosis of this condition can be made by a Foot and Ankle Pain Specialist using x-rays or MRIs to evaluate damage within the calcaneo-cuboid joint, joint misalignment, and whether the cuboid bone or peroneal tendon is subluxed. 

Treatment options:

  • Rest, ice, elevation, and Ace bandage compression

  • Physical manipulation using the ‘cuboid whip’ maneuver to place the cuboid and peroneal tendon back in their appropriate positions

  • NSAID’s or steroids

  • Cuboid pads placed in running sneakers

  • Custom molded orthotics

  • Corticosteroid injections into the affected area/joint

  • Laser therapy

If you have recurring pain to the outside portion of your foot, give us a call today at 406-721-4007.

Take the First Step Toward a Pain-Free Future

If you’re suffering from foot and ankle pain, help is available. At Alpine Foot & Ankle Clinic, our foot and ankle podiatrist provides treatments go beyond typical offerings—giving patients access to world-class interventions right here under the Big Sky. Don’t travel to Seattle, Denver, or Salt Lake City for next-level podiatric care and pain relief. Get the highly skilled foot and ankle care needed to recover and return to your favorite activities closer to home. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at our Missoula podiatry office.