Cuboid Syndrome Tests

What is cuboid syndrome?

Peroneal cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation or cuboid fault syndrome, is a condition characterized by pain on the lateral side of the foot, often resulting from an injury or altered foot biomechanics. It typically occurs when the cuboid bone, one of the seven tarsal bones in the foot, becomes partially dislocated. This can lead to lateral foot pain, especially during weight-bearing activities.

Common causes and risk factors include inversion ankle sprains, overuse injuries, and flat feet. Symptoms often include sharp pain on the lateral midfoot and swelling, which in turn may create walking difficulties. The pain may also radiate to the plantar surface of the foot, affecting the peroneus longus tendon and the extensor digitorum brevis muscle. Cuboid subluxation may be misdiagnosed as a coincident lateral ankle sprain, and it can be overlooked because it develops alongside lateral ankle injuries.

How to diagnose and test for cuboid syndrome?

Diagnosing cuboid syndrome can be challenging due to the lack of definitive tests. However, several clinical assessments can help identify the condition. Below is a detailed guide for healthcare workers to diagnose cuboid syndrome effectively.

Check medical history

Review the patient's medical history, focusing on past ankle injuries or sprains. Correlate any history of lateral ankle sprains with the current symptoms of cuboid syndrome and document any relevant findings.

Gait analysis

Observe the patient's walking pattern by having them walk a short distance. Pay close attention to abnormalities like limping or altered foot biomechanics. Analyze how the patient places their foot on the ground and their compensatory movements. Record any deviations from a normal gait, as these can provide clues about the presence of cuboid syndrome.

When testing for cuboid subluxation, a quick gait analysis should suffice. Still, Carepatron has a full guide and template for gait analysis if you want to do a more in-depth assessment. Look at our Functional Gait Analysis page for more information.

Peroneal muscle strength test

Place the patient seated with their legs hanging off the examination table. Ask them to invert and evert their foot actively. Apply gentle resistance as they evert their foot. While this test was originally designed to assess peroneus longus muscle strength, this modified version of the test can provoke pain in the cuboid

Palpation test

Start by comfortably positioning the patient in a supine position. Using anatomical landmarks, locate the cuboid bone on the lateral side of the foot. Gently press on the cuboid bone and the surrounding structures, checking for tenderness, discomfort, or pain. Carefully observe the patient's reaction and document any positive findings.

Midtarsal joint motion test

This part combines the two most commonly used tests for cuboid syndrome: the midtarsal adduction test and the midtarsal supination test. It also incorporates elements of the cuboid translation test.

With the patient seated or lying down with their foot relaxed, hold the foot with one hand stabilizing the heel and the other grasping the midfoot. Move the midfoot in various directions—up, down, and sideways. Assess the range of motion, noting any restrictions or pain, as limited movement can indicate cuboid subluxation.

You can download our free Cuboid Syndrome Tests template to streamline the diagnostic process. You can access the template PDF by clicking the download button on this page, or you can open it on the Carepatron app which also lets you customize the template.

This template will help ensure a comprehensive and systematic approach to diagnosing cuboid syndrome.

Results and interpretations of the Cuboid Syndrome Tests

Interpreting the results of cuboid syndrome tests requires keen medical insight to identify specific clinical signs and their implications.

A positive palpation test, characterized by tenderness and pain upon pressing the cuboid area, often indicates localized inflammation or stress-related injury.

For the peroneal muscle strength test, we will not use its associated signs and grades since it was desigend to evaluate muscle strength. However, the movements done in the test can elicit pain in the cuboid. As such, the reproduction of pain indicates cuboid subluxation.

Lastly, restricted midtarsal joint motion, observed as limited movement and potential subluxation, suggests that the midfoot joints may be compromised due to a locked cuboid. If pain is also elicited during the midtarsal joint motion test, it is indicative of cuboid syndrome.

Benefits of using our template

Our Cuboid Syndrome Tests template is a user-friendly and comprehensive tool for healthcare professionals. Here are its key benefits:

• Comprehensive assessment of Cuboid syndrome: The template covers the essential tests needed to accurately diagnose cuboid syndrome, ensuring no critical aspect is missed.
• Easy to use: With clear instructions and a straightforward format, the template is suitable for healthcare professionals at any experience level, making it easy to integrate into daily practice.
• Time-saving and convenient: The template streamlines the diagnostic process by consolidating all necessary tests in one place, allowing for quicker identification and assessment of cuboid syndrome.
• No-cost resource: This template is available for free and provides valuable diagnostic information without cost, making it accessible to all healthcare professionals. You can even customize it for your workflow and your healthcare practice!

Download our free Cuboid Syndrome Tests template PDF to enhance your diagnostic process for Cuboid syndrome.