Ballet Dancer Ankle Problem

Q: What is “cuboid syndrome?” My daughter is a ballet dancer and is currently unable to dance due to this issue. How can it be treated?

A: The cuboid bone is a small, cube-shaped bone located in the foot, specifically as part of the ankle. It connects with the heel bone at the back and the long bones of the outer toes.

Cuboid syndrome refers to a condition where the cuboid bone becomes misaligned or disrupted, causing pain in the foot. This can result from overuse or an injury, typically involving a sudden, forceful motion of the foot and ankle downward (plantar flexion) and inward (inversion).

Treatment options include placing a pad under the cuboid bone or taping the foot and ankle for support. Additionally, a chiropractor or physiotherapist trained in joint manipulation can perform a technique known as the “cuboid whip.” This maneuver helps realign the bones and restore full, pain-free movement.

Reference: Jason Jennings, DPT, SCS, ATC, MTC, CSCS, and George J. Davies, PT, DPT, MEd, SCS, ATC, LAT, CSCS, FAPTA. Treatment of Cuboid Syndrome Secondary to Lateral Ankle Sprains: A Case Series. In Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physiotherapy, July 2005, Vol. 35, No. 7, Pp. 409-415.