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Cuboid Stress Fracture

Written by Tele Demetrious

Updated:

(Also known as Stress Fracture of the Cuboid)

What is a cuboid stress fracture?

A cuboid stress fracture is a condition characterized by an incomplete crack in the cuboid bone.

The cuboid is the anatomical name given to one of the bones in the mid foot. It is located at the outer aspect of the mid foot just in front of the ankle (figure 1).

Relevant Anatomy for a Cuboid Stress Fracture
Figure 1 – Relevant Anatomy for a Cuboid Stress Fracture

Several muscles of the foot and lower leg attach to the cuboid bone. When these muscles contract, a pulling force is exerted on the bone. In addition, weight bearing activity places stress on the cuboid bone. When these forces are excessive or too repetitive, and beyond what the bone can withstand, bony damage can gradually occur. This initially results in a bony stress reaction, however, with continued damage may progress to a cuboid stress fracture.

Cause of a cuboid stress fracture

A stress fracture of the cuboid typically occurs over time with excessive weight bearing activity such as running, sprinting, jumping or dancing. They often occur following a recent increase in activity or change in training conditions (such as surface, footwear or technique changes etc).

Signs and symptoms of a cuboid stress fracture

Patients with this condition typically experience a poorly localized pain in the outer aspect of the mid foot or ankle that increases with impact activity (such as running, jumping, sprinting and hopping) and decreases with rest. Pain may also cause the patient to cease activity.

Occasionally, pain may radiate to the inner aspect of the foot, the sole of the foot, the heel bone or the toes. In severe cases, walking or standing may be enough to aggravate symptoms. Other symptoms may include night ache or pain on firmly touching the cuboid bone.

Diagnosis of a cuboid stress fracture

A thorough subjective and objective examination from a physiotherapist may be sufficient to diagnose a cuboid stress fracture. Further investigations such as an X-ray, MRI, CT scan or bone scan are usually required to confirm diagnosis and determine the severity of injury.

Prognosis of a cuboid stress fracture

With appropriate physiotherapy management, most patients with a cuboid stress fracture can have a full recovery (return to sport or full activities) in a period of 3 – 6 months. In more severe cases, recovery may take 1 year, or longer, depending on the intervention required and a range of other factors. In rare cases, some patients may experience ongoing symptoms or complications which may require further management.

Treatment for a cuboid stress fracture

Treatment for a cuboid stress fracture typically involves an initial period of rest from weight bearing activity. This may involve a period of non-weight bearing immobilization in a plaster cast, the use of crutches or a protective boot for a number of weeks. Following this, a gradual increase in weight bearing activity and exercise can usually occur as tolerated, provided symptoms do not increase. This should take place over a period of weeks to months with direction from the treating physiotherapist and will vary depending on the severity of the injury.

Ignoring symptoms or adopting a ‘no pain, no gain’ attitude is likely to cause further damage and may slow healing or prevent healing of the cuboid stress fracture altogether. Immediate, appropriate treatment is essential to ensure a speedy recovery.

Manual “hands-on” therapy from the physiotherapist such as massage, trigger point release techniques, dry needling, joint mobilisation, stretches, and electrotherapy can assist with hastening healing, improving range of movement, pain and function and correcting factors contributing to the development of the cuboid stress fracture. This can generally commence once the physiotherapist has indicated it is safe to do so.

Patients should also perform pain free flexibility and strengthening exercises (following the initial period of immobilization) as part of their rehabilitation to ensure an optimal outcome. Alternative activities placing minimal weight bearing forces through the affected bone should also be performed to maintain fitness such as swimming, cycling and water running. The treating physiotherapist can advise which activities are most appropriate for the patient and when they should be commenced.

In the final stages of rehabilitation for a cuboid stress fracture, a gradual return to activity or sport can occur as guided by the treating physiotherapist provided symptoms do not increase. This may involve a gradual return to running program to recondition the cuboid to running in a safe and effective manner.

Appropriate footwear advice and / or the use of orthotics may also be indicated in those patients whose lower limb biomechanics are likely to have contributed to the development of the cuboid stress fracture. Training technique or training methods may also need addressing to decrease the likelihood of injury recurrence.

Contributing factors to the development of a cuboid stress fracture

There are several factors which may contribute to the development of this condition. These need to be assessed and corrected with direction from the treating physiotherapist. Some of these factors include:

Physiotherapy for a cuboid stress fracture

Physiotherapy treatment for patients with this condition is vital to hasten healing, prevent injury recurrence and ensure an optimal outcome. Treatment may comprise:

Other intervention for a cuboid stress fracture

Despite appropriate physiotherapy management, some patients with this condition do not improve and require other intervention to ensure an optimal outcome. The treating physiotherapist or doctor can advise on the best course of management when this is the case. This may include further investigations such as X-rays, CT scan, MRI or bone scan, extended periods of plaster cast immobilization, use of crutches or protective boot, review with a podiatrist for possible orthotics or referral to appropriate medical authorities who can advise on any intervention that may be appropriate to improve the cuboid stress fracture. Occasionally, patients with this condition may require surgery to stabilize the stress fracture and aid healing.

Exercises for a cuboid stress fracture

The following exercises are commonly prescribed to patients with a stress fracture of the cuboid following the initial period of immobilisation. You should discuss the suitability of these exercises with your physiotherapist prior to beginning them. Generally, they should be performed 3 times daily once the physiotherapist has indicated it is safe to do so and only provided they do not cause or increase symptoms.

Foot & Ankle Up & Down

Move your foot and ankle up and down as far as possible and comfortable without pain (figure 2). Repeat 10 – 20 times provided there is no increase in symptoms.

Exercises for a Cuboid Stress Fracture - Foot & Ankle Up & Down
Figure 2 – Foot & Ankle Up & Down (left foot)

Foot & Ankle In & Out

Move your foot and ankle in and out as far as possible and comfortable without pain (figure 3). Repeat 10 – 20 times provided there is no increase in symptoms.

Exercises for a Cuboid Stress Fracture - Foot & Ankle In & Out
Figure 3 – Foot & Ankle In & Out (right foot)

Find a Physio

Find a physiotherapist in your local area who can treat a cuboid stress fracture.

Physiotherapy products for a cuboid stress fracture

Some commonly recommended products by physiotherapists for patients with a cuboid stress fracture include:

To purchase physiotherapy products for a cuboid stress fracture click on one of the links or visit the PhysioAdvisor Shop.

Other Exercises

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