Calcaneocuboid joint

The calcaneocuboid joint is part of the mid-tarsal (Chopart) joint. It is a synovial articulation between the calcaneus and the cuboid bones of the foot.

Gross anatomy

The calcaneocuboid joint involves the anterior surface of the calcaneus and the posterior surface of the cuboid. Its joint capsule is thickened superiorly and also inferiorly . It is a modified saddle-type joint. There is minimal movement occurring at this joint, with only some gliding motions during inversion and eversion.

Attachments

Ligaments

The calcaneocuboid joint is stabilized by ligaments on its superior and inferior aspects. The plantar calcaneocuboid ligament (short plantar ligament) is a thick band of fibrous tissue that extends from the anterior tubercle of the calcaneus to the posterior part of the cuboid just behind the groove for the fibularis longus tendon .

The long plantar ligament lies superficial to the short plantar ligament. It is attached from the calcaneus, just anterior to its tuberosity, to the posterior aspect of the cuboid. The superficial fibers of the long plantar ligament continue to the second to fourth metatarsals, bridging over the groove containing the fibularis longus tendon .

The medial calcaneocuboid ligament is the lateral band of the bifurcate ligament. It may blend with the dorsal calcaneocuboid ligament and in such a case these two structures cannot be distinguished.

The dorsal calcaneocuboid ligament attaches to the anterolateral calcaneus (lateral to the bifurcate ligament) and to the dorsolateral cuboid. It is continuous with the thickening of the dorsal articular capsule of the calcaneocuboid joint and can have a variable appearance due to anatomic variations.

Innervation

The lateral plantar nerve on its plantar aspect, deep fibular, and sural nerves on its dorsal aspect.

Related pathology

The calcaneocuboid joint can be rarely associated with lateral ankle instability and pain if it is dislocated or subluxed . It can also be injured in combined plantarflexion-inversion injuries, as is the case with Chopart fracture.