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The pain and discomfort that is located on the outside of the foot may be indicative of a condition that is known as cuboid syndrome. It can occur as a result of a partial dislocation of the cuboid bone, and may happen for a variety of reasons including a sprained ankle, wearing shoes that do not fit correctly, or running on uneven surfaces. A common symptom that patients experience from this ailment can consist of pain on the outer edge of the foot, and it is often worse while standing. Mild relief may be found when specific strengthening exercises are performed, and it may help to wear custom-made orthotics. If you have pain in this part of your foot, it is suggested that you speak to a podiatrist who will be able to treat this condition effectively.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with the podiatrists from Foothill Podiatry Clinic. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Grass Valley, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Whether you are new to the sport or have been running for years, injuries to the feet and ankles are common in runners. Luckily, there are preventative measures you can take to avoid some of the most common injuries that affect runners, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and stress fractures. It is recommended that you do a warm-up prior to exercising. Doing a warm-up will loosen up your joints, increase blood flow to your muscles, and prepare your nervous system for exercise. Adding strength training to your exercise regimen, specifically exercises targeting the hips, glutes, quads, and feet can also help reduce the risk of injuries. You may want to stretch regularly as well, ideally after every workout, to reduce soreness and maintain your flexibility and range of motion. If you do injure your feet or ankles, it is recommended that you seek medical care from a podiatrist.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact the podiatrists of Foothill Podiatry Clinic. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Grass Valley, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a somewhat newer treatment for a variety of medical conditions. Platelet-rich plasma contains growth factors that begin and regulate the wound healing process. PRP is made by taking a blood sample from you, adding an anti-clotting agent, and putting the sample into a centrifuge, which separates the platelets from other components of your blood. The PRP is then injected into the area around your injury. PRP injections stimulate revascularization, restoring blood flow to the affected area and increasing growth factors that are responsible for blood vessel and tissue formation. This speeds up the healing of your injury. Several studies have shown that PRP injections may be effective in treating certain conditions of the foot and ankle, including Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, ligament injuries, bone fractures, and wounds. Consult with a podiatrist to learn more about PRP injections and to find out if this treatment may be right for you. 

If you are suffering from a foot condition, contact the podiatrists of Foothill Podiatry Clinic. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is PRP?

Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, is blood taken from a patient and spun in a centrifuge, concentrating the amount of platelets. The plasma is then re-injected into the site of injury or damage, assisting the body in repairing damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and tissue. PRP helps the body speed up its healing process.

Uses of PRP

Injuries affecting the foot sometimes don’t heal properly because of poor blood circulation. The healing time slows down, and recovery time is affected by poor blood supply. PRP injections will speed up recovery and resolve this issue.

Treatment

PRP is the first regenerative treatment for damaged muscles, tendons, and ligaments. No surgery needed. It is only applied with an insertion of a needle.

Ultrasound – An ultrasound is needed for proper placement of the platelets.

Injection – When the first injection is received, the patient will return to the doctor in about 2 to 3 weeks and monitor the recovery process.

Recovery time – Some people respond to treatments differently. Therefore, depending on your condition, the doctor will make any remaining decisions on how many more injections are needed, or if any additional ones are even required.

Benefits

One may be able to avoid major surgery, and recovery time will be cut down. PRP injections also avoid creating scar tissue and damage to the area. Risks are also very low using PRP as a treatment. There is no risk of rejection, contracting a disease from using another person’s blood, or infection.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Grass Valley, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.