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Plantar calcaneocuboid ligament (short plantar ligament)

The plantar calcaneocuboid ligament, also known as the short plantar ligament, is a strong, thick band located on the plantar aspect of the foot. It connects the anterior tubercle of the calcaneus to the posterior plantar surface of the cuboid bone, lying deep to the long plantar ligament.

This ligament forms a crucial part of the calcaneocuboid joint capsule and plays a key role in maintaining the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot. By reinforcing the plantar aspect of the calcaneocuboid joint, it provides stability during weight-bearing and propulsion phases of gait.

Injuries to the short plantar ligament are often associated with lateral midfoot sprains, calcaneocuboid joint instability, or chronic flatfoot deformities.

Synonyms

  • Short plantar ligament

  • Plantar calcaneocuboid ligament

  • Inferior calcaneocuboid ligament

Origin, Course, and Insertion

  • Origin: Anterior tubercle and depression on the plantar surface of the calcaneus, just anterior to the calcaneal tuberosity

  • Course: Runs forward and laterally, forming a thick, broad, rectangular band on the inferior aspect of the calcaneocuboid joint

  • Insertion: Posterior plantar surface of the cuboid bone, extending near its ridge and occasionally blending with fibers of the long plantar ligament

Relations

  • Superiorly: Calcaneocuboid joint capsule and articular cartilage

  • Inferiorly: Long plantar ligament and plantar aponeurosis (superficially)

  • Medially: Plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament

  • Laterally: Peroneus longus tendon and lateral plantar vessels

  • Anteriorly: Cuboid bone

  • Posteriorly: Calcaneus (anterior tubercle)

Arterial Supply

  • Lateral plantar artery (branch of posterior tibial artery)

  • Peroneal artery perforators contributing to the lateral foot region

Function

  • Stabilization: Strengthens the plantar surface of the calcaneocuboid joint

  • Arch support: Maintains the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot

  • Shock absorption: Assists in dispersing stress during stance and push-off phases

  • Joint integrity: Prevents excessive dorsiflexion and rotation of the cuboid relative to the calcaneus

  • Synergistic action: Works with the long plantar ligament and plantar aponeurosis for dynamic arch control

Clinical Significance

  • Injury: May be sprained or torn during lateral foot inversion or twisting injuries

  • Associated pathology: Commonly involved in calcaneocuboid instability and peroneal tendon subluxation

  • Degeneration: Chronic strain contributes to lateral column collapse and flatfoot deformity

  • Surgical relevance: Important landmark in calcaneocuboid fusion and lateral arch reconstruction

  • Imaging importance: Frequently assessed in chronic plantar pain, lateral midfoot injuries, and ligamentous instability

MRI Appearance

  • T1-weighted images:

    • Normal ligament: low signal (dark band) connecting calcaneus to cuboid

    • Surrounding fat planes appear bright, delineating ligament borders

    • Partial tears: focal intermediate signal or thinning of fibers

    • Complete rupture: discontinuity or gap at calcaneocuboid junction

  • T2-weighted images:

    • Normal ligament: low signal intensity

    • Acute injury: bright hyperintense signal within ligament substance or at insertion

    • Chronic strain: thickened ligament with irregular intermediate signal

    • Adjacent bone marrow edema in calcaneus or cuboid may be seen in acute trauma

  • STIR:

    • Normal: dark band

    • Injury: marked hyperintensity from edema or inflammation

    • Excellent for detecting ligament sprains, avulsions, and periligamentous fluid

  • Proton Density Fat-Saturated (PD FS):

    • Normal: homogeneous low signal

    • Pathology: focal or diffuse bright signal with indistinct margins

    • Best sequence for subtle partial tears or chronic degeneration

  • T1 Fat-Sat Post-Contrast:

    • Normal ligament: minimal or no enhancement

    • Partial tear or synovitis: linear enhancement along ligament fibers

    • Post-surgical fibrosis: diffuse or nodular enhancement around ligament

CT Appearance

Non-Contrast CT:

  • Ligament itself is not distinctly visualized due to similar density to surrounding soft tissue

  • Indirect signs: calcaneocuboid joint space widening, small avulsion fragments, or periarticular sclerosis

  • Chronic degeneration: osteophytes or subchondral cysts in the calcaneus or cuboid

Post-Contrast CT (standard):

  • Ligament appears as a thin low-density band between calcaneus and cuboid

  • Surrounding soft tissue enhancement may indicate inflammation or recent injury

  • Joint capsule thickening or periarticular fat stranding suggests ligamentous pathology

MRI image

Plantar calcaneocuboid ligament (short plantar ligament) coronal cross sectional anatomy 3T MRI AI enhanced radiology image-img-00000-00000

MRI image

Plantar calcaneocuboid ligament (short plantar ligament) coronal cross sectional anatomy 3T MRI AI enhanced radiology image-img-00000-00000_00001

MRI image

Plantar calcaneocuboid ligament (short plantar ligament) SAGITTAL cross sectional anatomy 3T MRI AI enhanced radiology image-img-00000-00000