Nothing is more aggravating than injuring yourself halfway through a run, especially when you are on the hilly terrain of your favorite scenic trail. Unfortunately, injuries are more common during these trail runs due to the uneven terrain and hazardous objects on the ground.
If you are experiencing pain on the lateral side of your foot after one of these
Before we begin talking about the condition, it is important to understand a
This anatomical relationship between the cuboid, peroneus
As you can see, the anatomical position of the cuboid and its relation to the peroneus longus muscle directly contributes to the biomechanics of walking and running. Athletes, such as runners, tend to overuse this pulley-like system, which overtime may cause the cuboid to slip out of its joint. When the cuboid shifts out of its position (subluxation), it causes scattered pain and affects all of the surrounding bones, muscles
It is clear that a cuboid subluxation is an important injury to take care of as fast as possible, but the symptoms of the condition replicate many other injuries, such as the common inversion ankle sprain. Therefore, we want to discuss some common symptoms, diagnostic signs, treatments
Symptoms of Cuboid Subluxation
The most common symptom is an aching pain scattered along the lateral (outer) edge and plantar (bottom) aspect of your foot, which typically gets worse with exercise. Also, pain is usually accompanied by inflammation, swelling
Diagnostic Signs
As mentioned earlier, proper diagnosis of a cuboid subluxation is difficult because it shares the same symptoms as many other injuries and is difficult to see with an X-ray or MRI. However, As an expert in foot and ankle conditions, I am trained to make an accurate differential diagnosis in order to rule out other conditions and properly identify the underlying problem in order to treat your injury. In some cases, the cuboid can be visually seen to be displaced from its normal position when there is either a dorsal sulcus (from a plantar subluxation) or a palpable bump on the dorsum of the foot (from a dorsal subluxation).
Treatments for Cuboid Subluxation
Here is the GOOD NEWS. If you are suffering from a cuboid subluxation then you could be relieved of pain within minutes after proper physical manipulation. Physical manipulation techniques allows realignment of the cuboid bone back to its original location while avoiding any further damage to the surrounding structures.
After relocating the bone, we recommend strapping and/or padding around the area of the cuboid in order to maintain its correct position and stabilize the surrounding joints.
Preventing Future Injuries to the Cuboid
The first precautionary measure to prevent a cuboid subluxation is to wear proper footwear, such as trail running shoes when running on uneven and rocky terrain. You should also avoid improper landings on uneven surfaces or stepping on hazards, such as stones because they can displace the cuboid.
By wearing supportive shoes while practicing proper running form and landing can greatly reduce your risk of injury.
Also, for any activity or exercise, always remember to stretch properly in order to alleviate the tension on your muscles that insert onto the bones of the foot.
Are You Looking for a Sports Injuries Expert in Austin, TX?
If you are looking for sports injury care, you should reach out to an experienced podiatrist. Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.
