Cuboid Syndrome: Does It Cause Your Severe Foot Pain?

If you suffer from severe foot pain that doesn't go away with foot soaks or massages, visit a foot and ankle clinic today. You may suffer from cuboid syndrome. Cuboid syndrome generally affects the outside, or lateral side, of your foot The syndrome can become worse without the appropriate foot and ankle care. Learn more about cuboid syndrome and how a foot and ankle clinic can treat you below.

How Does Cuboid Syndrome Develop?

You have many bones in your feet that can become injured over time, including the cuboid bone. The cube-shaped bone sits on the lateral side of your foot and is close to the small bones in your heel. The cuboid bone's main function is to push your foot downward when you point your toes or flex your foot. If the bone moves out of alignment in the foot, it can become painful. Foot and ankle doctors call the condition cuboid syndrome.

Cuboid syndrome can cause a wide range of symptoms to show up over time, including pain or tenderness in the lateral side of your foot. You may also develop pain or discomfort in your pinky toe. Some people even develop either a sharp pain or dull ache in the center of their foot. The side and center of the foot may become extra sensitive over time. 

If you experience any of the symptoms, don't try to treat them at home. You could have a hidden fracture in your cuboid bone that requires special treatment to heal. You want to have a foot and ankle clinic or doctor treat your condition for you.

How Do You Treat Cuboid Syndrome?

A foot and ankle clinic or doctor will need to take radiology images of your foot before they can diagnose it properly. If a fractured heel bone or toe is causing your foot pain, a clinic or doctor will treat them effectively. You may need to wear a brace around your heel or toe to help it heal properly. You may also need to keep pressure off your foot and rest during the day.

If the cuboid bone is causing your symptoms, and the bone isn't fractured or broken, a clinic or doctor will place the cuboid bone back into its original place in your foot. A clinic or doctor may use the whip or squeeze method to realign your cuboid bone. Both methods allow a clinic or doctor to forcibly push the bone back into its original place in the foot.

After your treatment, take time out to rest and relax. The cuboid bone in your foot also needs time to heal from its ordeal. A clinic or doctor will go over your recovery time and expectations during your appointment.

Learn more about cuboid syndrome and its treatment by contacting a foot and ankle specialist today.