A condensed version:
I've been bedridden for 3 years now with what seems to be a bilateral case of cuboid syndrome. I tried to get back into my exercise regimen after a 4 month illness and when I came home after making it around the block, my ability to walk became painful. (Lateral column) My first thought was peroneal tendonitis but multiple MRI's, ultrasounds and physicians told me otherwise. My peroneals are so tight, like guitar strings, from the side of my knees, down into my feet.
I saw a plethora of physicians from every specialty many times, had so many MRI's of my ankles, entire spine, EMG's, blood work, etc. It was finally deemed to be biomechanical in nature stemming from the feet/ankles about a year ago.
I've seen at least 10 Orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons who all say that my MRI's/ultrasounds are clean and there's nothing to "cut." I've also seen at least 15 biomechanical podiatrists that have given me every diagnosis under the sun, along with at least 12 pairs of custom orthotics that only made the pain worse.
The pain is mechanical and nerve-related (I'm assuming sural nerve) in nature and began on the lateral sides of my feet. I've attempted physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractics, massage therapy, custom orthotics and many other conservative treatments with no relief.
Nearly all of my physicians have released me from their care with no ideas or direction. I've been told that I'm becoming atrophied from disuse and to join a gym. Of course I am, I can't bear weight. My pain is awful bilaterally when weight-bearing yet subsides when I wake up in the middle of the night.
I've been researching for for years and kept asking physicians about Cuboid Syndrome and was always brushed off. My pain is directly over the cuboid bone on each foot and I do have swelling under the lateral malleolus on both ankles. I've been told that my peroneal tendons are in good condition, yet no one knows where this swelling is coming from. (I've also seen Vascular and all other specialists that would pertain to ankle swelling and got a clean bill of health)
I finally went to see a Chiropractor in my area (as I couldn't find a Podiatrist, Ortho or Physical Therapist to manipulate the cuboids) and he used an arthostim on the tops and bottoms of my cuboids and much to my surprise, it was the first time I could walk without pain in 3 years!! I was so happy but the pain returned late that night. I've since gone back several times but have never gotten the same pain-free response again. I was told that I'd need to find someone who could manually manipulate them but can't seem to find anyone in my area.
On a side note, I cleaned my attic for 2 weeks, sitting plantar-flexed on my feet daily for hours. This nightmare began shortly thereafter.
For reference, I'm 5'6 and 125 lbs.
If anyone has any experience with cuboid syndrome, I'd appreciate hearing any thoughts or advice that you may have to offer. I'd be grateful. Living in a bed and only weight bearing for about 20 minutes a day for 3 years is taking it's toll on me, physically and emotionally.
If you've made it this far, thank you. If you have anything to offer, no matter how insignificant you may think, please share. I'm tired of living a zero quality of life and want to walk and run again, pain-free.
Thanks in advance.