The cuboid bone is located in the foot, and cuboid syndrome can occur when the surrounding joints and ligaments become inflamed. The pain is often felt on the outside of the foot where the pinky toe is, and may increase when weight is put on it. It can happen as a result of the cuboid bone moving outward as the heel bone moves inward, often from a sprain. Some people experience cuboid syndrome by putting repetitive strain on the foot while participating in running and jumping activities. There may be existing medical conditions that can lead to developing this condition. These include having flat feet or being obese. Additionally, having gout, arthritis and certain bone conditions may lead to getting cuboid syndrome. Effective preventive methods can include stretching the foot adequately before beginning an exercise routine, and it can be beneficial to wear shoes that have ample support. Treatment can begin with elevating the affected foot, and specific stretches and exercises can be done that can help to minimize discomfort. If you have this type of pain in your foot, please consult with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can properly diagnose and treat this ailment.

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 one of our podiatrists from New England Foot and Ankle. 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 one of our offices located in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Running is a widespread recreational activity. However, a large portion of those who engage in running can suffer from running-related injuries at some point in their lives. Injuries to the feet can be common among these running-related injuries. There are several steps that you might take to prevent running injuries to your feet. First, you can be diligent about stretching your feet both before and after your runs, focusing also on the lower calves. This serves to loosen the muscles in your feet, effectively reducing tension and strain. Second, you might consider receiving some kind of regular foot massage treatment to further relax the muscles in your feet. This might be particularly effective if you notice that muscles in your feet or lower legs are becoming sore. Third, you might avoid running on uneven surfaces. This is recommended because uneven terrain can increase the likelihood of falls, which can wreak havoc on your feet. If you engage in running, it is a good decision to consult with a podiatrist about how to proactively prevent running injuries.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Heel pain is a common affliction that podiatrists treat on a daily basis. They see many different forms of heel pain emanating from injuries to soft tissues and other structures, breaks in bones, and arthritis. Soft tissue inflammatory conditions that cause heel pain include plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue on the sole of the foot), Achilles tendonitis (inflammation of the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle that connects the calf muscles to the heel), ligament sprains and muscles strains near the heel, and bursitis (inflammation of the bursa sac between the heel and the Achilles tendon). A fractured heel can vary from a small crack to a full break in the bone, and cause a great deal of heel pain. There are also different forms of arthritis, such as ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis, which can cause pain and tightness in the heel. To have your heel pain properly diagnosed and treated, make an appointment with a podiatrist who can help devise an effective treatment plan to address your specific condition.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Heel spurs can affect a variety of different individuals. The condition is characterized by the formation of a bony outgrowth made up of calcium deposits. This outgrowth begins at the heel and then grows toward the arch of the foot or the plantar fascia. It can be very helpful to learn about some of the common symptoms of heel spurs in case you ever develop this condition. It is important to note, however, that every patient is different and experiences different symptoms. For example, some patients with heel spurs experience no symptoms. These patients will only discover that they have heel spurs after undergoing an X-ray. Other patients can experience great pain with heel spurs. Specifically, some people may experience a sharp, shooting pain in the heel area at the beginning of the day when first putting weight on their feet. A muddled pain in the heel can also be felt throughout the day. Some people with heel spurs might even experience a kind of heat coming from the affected heel in some cases. If you have heel spurs, you might experience some kind of inflammation and swelling as well. Symptoms of heel spurs are highly specific to each patient, so reach out to a podiatrist who can help with your specific case. 

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact one of our podiatrists from New England Foot and Ankle. Our doctors will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact one of our offices located in Chelmsford and Newburyport, MA . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.