Calcaneocuboid ligament injury

Findings

When lateral bruising is found mainly over the mid-foot and tracking towards the toes then, invariably, the calcaneocuboid ligament has been damaged. The lesion is not well diagnosed and treated, and thus often presents as a chronic ankle or foot pain. Rough ground is particularly troublesome, and pain is produced on pronating and supinating the mid- and forefoot, across the mid-tarsal joint. There is tenderness to palpation over the calcaneocuboid joint.

Cause

Part of the inversion sprain mechanism, but more stress has passed through the mid-tarsal joint, straining the ligaments between the calcaneum and cuboid.

Treatment

a)      RICE

b)      Injection of cortisone to the calcaneocuboid ligament.

c)      Electrotherapeutic modalities, such as ultrasound, laser and interferential to settle inflammation in the ligament and joint, are not that successful.

d)     Rehabilitation as for a sprained ankle.

e)      Soft arch orthotic to rest the joint from pronation.

Sports

As for a sprained ankle, but twisting – turning sports may require orthotics and strapping of the mid-tarsal joint to reduce the pronation movements through this joint for 6-8 weeks after the foot and ankle painfree.

"Concise guide to sports injuries, 2^nd edition",Churchill Livingstone, Malcolm T.F. Read,  foreword by Bryan English