It also assists with mobility in the lateral (outer) column of the foot.
While fractures of the cuboid are uncommon, they can occur infrequently in specific circumstances.
This article discusses the anatomy and function of the cuboid bone.
It also covers associated conditions and when you may need treatment.
Anatomy
Thehuman footis an intricate structure that contains 26 bones and 33 individual joints.
The cuboid bone is one of five that form themidfoot, the center area of your foot.
The others are the navicular, lateral, medial, and intermediate cuneiform bones.
Several different ligaments help stabilize the cuboid.
They include the:
The bone also has one muscular insertion.
The plantar and lateral surfaces of the bone also contain an important groove called the peroneal sulcus.
This provides a boney roadway for the peroneus longus tendon to reach attachment points.
These points are located at the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform, behind the bones in your big toe.
What Is a Metatarsal?
A metatarsal is a long bone of the midfoot that bridges the gap between your ankle and toe.
Each foot has five metatarsals.
It forms a joint with the heel bone, orcalcaneus, called thecalcaneocuboidjoint.
Closer to the toes, it meets up with the fourth and fifth metatarsals.
Anatomical Variations
In rare cases, the cuboid and navicular bones can grow into one another.
This is called a cuboid-navicular coalition.This usually starts before birth.
If it causes any stiffness or pain, symptoms usually appear during late childhood or early adolescence.
It’s usually treated conservatively with physical therapy or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
For persistent or severe cases, surgery may be considered.
Function
The cuboid bone plays an important role in the foots stability and in your daily functioning.
Its one muscular attachment, the tibialis posterior, helps to point the foot downward (plantar flexion).
This movement assists in propelling you forward as you take a step.
The muscle also helps move the foot inward and supports the foots arch structure.
The muscle also assists with pointing the foot downward and plays a major role in your ability to balance.
Perhaps the most influential function of the cuboid is providing stability and support to the foot’s outer edge.
The bone is not directly involved with weight-bearing.
This allows the outside portion of the foot to be more mobile and adapt while walking on uneven surfaces.
That said, there are several conditions that can affect the bone.
Cuboid Syndrome
One of the more common conditions for this bone is cuboid syndrome.
This condition comes up whenever the calcaneocuboid joint is partially dislocated.
It’s usually due to an ankle sprain or by excessive, repetitive rolling inward of the foot.
Instead, your healthcare provider may diagnose it after an evaluation in the office.
Cuboid Fracture
Infrequently, the cuboid bone can also be fractured.
Repetitive loads on the foot can also lead to a cuboidstress fracture.
These forces can occur with sports like endurance running, gymnastics, or basketball.
Chronic stresses on the lateral foot cause a mechanical failure of the bone.
Regardless of the bang out of fracture, the symptoms very closely mirror those seen in cuboid syndrome.
This is especially true in stress fractures, which can be challenging to see on X-rays.
Rehabilitation
Cuboid syndrome is typically managed conservatively with padding to the cuboid area and physical therapy.
A cuboid fracture is also typically treated conservatively.
It helps to stabilize and provide support for the outer edge of the foot.
The muscle that’s attached to the cuboid helps you point your foot downward, which assists with walking.
Medical conditions that can affect the bone include cuboid syndrome and cuboid fractures.
With both conditions, conservative treatment, including physical therapy, is usually recommended.
In some cases, fractures may require surgery.
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