
What is the treatment for accessory navicular syndrome?
Treatment for accessory navicular syndrome falls in two categories. The doctor will first attempt non-surgical treatment for the condition and then move to surgical treatment if that is not successful. Surgical methods are used when the pain becomes intolerable for the patient.
What is an accessory navicular bone?
An accessory navicular bone is an extra bone or piece of cartilage located in the middle of the foot near the navicular bone, the bone that goes across the foot near the instep. It is present from birth ( congenital) and is a common trait.
How do you diagnose an accessory navicular?
X-Ray: An accessory navicular is often clear to see in standing AP and lateral views, but in some cases an oblique view is also required in order to fully diagnose the extent of the navicular abnormality. Bilateral investigations are often done as there is a high incidence of symmetrical abnormalities.

How do you get rid of accessory navicular bone?
The most common procedure used to treat the symptomatic accessory navicular is the Kidner procedure. To perform this procedure, a small incision is made in the instep of the foot over the accessory navicular. The accessory navicular is then detached from the posterior tibial tendon and removed from the foot.
Does accessory navicular go away?
In summary, an accessory navicular is a fairly uncommon condition which is rarely symptomatic. Oftentimes nonsurgical treatment is successful. In the minority of cases, surgical intervention is required. Patients typically do very well with conservative and surgical treatment.
Is accessory navicular surgery worth it?
Conclusions: When conservative measures fail to relieve the symptoms of a painful accessory navicular, simple excision of the accessory navicular and anatomic repair of the posterior tibialis tendon is a successful intervention. Overall, the procedure provides reliable pain relief and patient satisfaction.
Is accessory navicular serious?
Most of the time, this condition is asymptomatic and people may live their whole lives unaware that they even have this extra bone. The main reason the accessory navicular bone becomes problematic is when pain occurs. There is no need for intervention if there is no pain.
What is the recovery time for accessory navicular surgery?
About six weeks after surgery, the patient should be fully able to bear weight on the affected leg and can begin physical therapy. A full recovery may take up to six months, but patients can return to work or school far sooner.
What causes extra bone growth in foot?
Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are smooth, bony growths, usually near joints. They develop over time in patients with arthritis or joint damage. The feet, hands, knees and spine often develop bone spurs. A healthy lifestyle can delay symptoms like pain, stiffness and limited motion.
Why do I have an accessory navicular?
Causes of Accessory Navicular Syndrome The extra bone sometimes forms when the last of the seven tarsal bones (the navicular bone) develops. If this bone fails to unite during normal development in early childhood, an accessory (extra) navicular bone is the result.
Can you run with accessory navicular?
If you have or suspect you have accessory navicular syndrome, you should not continue activity that aggravates the problem such as running or wearing footwear that irritates the area. The problem needs to be rested to give it a chance to settle down and heal so that treatment can commence.
What is Type 2 accessory navicular?
The type II accessory navicular is the most commonly symptomatic variant with localized chronic or acute on chronic medial foot pain and tenderness with associated inflammation of overlying soft tissues. Plain radiographic identification of the accessory navicular is insufficient to attribute symptomatology.
How do you fix an extra bone in your foot?
Treating bone spurs on top of the footWeight loss. Losing weight reduces pressure on the bones in your feet and relieves pain associated with a bone spur. ... Change shoes or wear padding. ... Heat and ice therapy. ... Cortisone injection. ... Walking boot. ... Pain relievers. ... Bone spur on top of foot surgery.
Can a navicular stress fracture heal on its own?
Stress fractures generally heal on their own with simple measures, such as avoiding activities that put stress on the area. In some cases, however, surgery is needed to help the fracture heal properly.
Does everyone have accessory navicular?
An accessory navicular is congenital (present at birth). It is not part of normal bone structure and therefore is not present in most people.
How do you fix an extra bone in your foot?
Treating bone spurs on top of the footWeight loss. Losing weight reduces pressure on the bones in your feet and relieves pain associated with a bone spur. ... Change shoes or wear padding. ... Heat and ice therapy. ... Cortisone injection. ... Walking boot. ... Pain relievers. ... Bone spur on top of foot surgery.
Why does it look like I have two ankle bones?
The presence of an os trigonum in one or both feet is congenital (present at birth). It becomes evident during adolescence when one area of the talus does not fuse with the rest of the bone, creating a small extra bone. Only a small number of people have this extra bone.
How do you tape accessory navicular?
1:102:20Foot Arch & Navicular KT Kinesiology Taping @ Pro Chiropractic in ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay and then we're just gonna come underneath the foot and once we get past the arch. We're gonnaMoreOkay and then we're just gonna come underneath the foot and once we get past the arch. We're gonna pull into a medial direction to set that navicular up so it doesn't fall and then lay the tape. Down.
What is Accessory Navicular Syndrome?
Accessory Navicular which is also known by the name of os navicularum is the name given to an extra bone or a piece of cartilage which is normally found on the inner side of the foot just above the arch. This extra bone is fixed within the posterior tibial tendon which is attached in this area. Accessory Navicular is a congenital issue which means that the extra bone is present at birth. Accessory Navicular is not a part of the normal bony anatomy and hence is not found in every person.
How is Accessory Navicular Syndrome Diagnosed?
In order to confirm the diagnosis of Accessory Navicular Syndrome, the doctor may order radiological studies in the form of x-rays, MRI or CT scan of the foot in question. These studies will clearly show the presence of Accessory Navicular thus confirming the diagnosis of Accessory Navicular Syndrome.
What is the best medicine for accessory nacular syndrome?
Medications to Treat Accessory Navicular Syndrome: The doctor may also prescribe NSAIDs in the form of Tylenol or ibuprofen to calm down the swelling, pain, and inflammation due to Accessory Navicular Syndrome. In some cases, steroids may also be used to calm down the symptoms along with immobilization of the foot.
What tendon is attached to the accessory navicular?
This condition puts more strain on the posterior tibial tendon which attaches to the foot where the Accessory Navicular is and thus irritates the Accessory Navicular and inflames or irritates it causing immense pain due to Accessory Navicular Syndrome.
How to calm down a navicular?
For this, the affected foot may be put in a cast or a walking boot to decrease the area of inflammation and allow the foot to rest by immobilizing it .
Can you use steroids for a stiff foot?
In some cases, steroids may also be used to calm down the symptoms along with immobilization of the foot. Physical Therapy for Accessory Navicular Syndrome: This is an essential part of treatment for Accessory Navicular Syndrome, especially when the foot has been immobilized for some weeks as immobilization may make the foot stiff ...
Is accessory navicular a congenital problem?
This extra bone is fixed within the posterior tibial tendon which is attached in this area. Accessory Navicular is a congenital issue which means that the extra bone is present at birth. Accessory Navicular is not a part of the normal bony anatomy and hence is not found in every person. Now coming to what is Accessory Navicular Syndrome, ...
What is the goal of nonsurgical treatment for accessory navicular syndrome?
The goal of nonsurgical treatment for accessory navicular syndrome is to relieve the symptoms. The following may be used:
What Is the Accessory Navicular?
The accessory navicular (os navicularum or os tibiale externum) is an extra bone or piece of cartilage located on the inner side of the foot just above the arch. It is incorporated within the posterior tibial tendon, which attaches in this area and can lead to Accessory Navicular Syndrome.
When Is Surgery Needed?
If nonsurgical treatment fails to relieve the symptoms of accessory navicular syndrome, surgery may be appropriate. Surgery may involve removing the accessory bone, reshaping the area and repairing the posterior tibial tendon to improve its function. This extra bone is not needed for normal foot function.
Why choose a foot and ankle surgeon?
Foot and ankle surgeons have more education and training specific to the foot and ankle than any other healthcare provider.
What is foot and ankle surgery?
Foot and ankle surgeons treat all conditions affecting the foot and ankle, from the simple to the complex, in patients of all ages including Accessory Navicular Syndrome. Their intensive education and training qualify foot and ankle surgeons to perform a wide range of surgeries, including any surgery that may be indicated for Accessory Navicular Syndrome.
What are the symptoms of accessory navicular syndrome?
The signs and symptoms of accessory navicular syndrome include: A visible bony prominence on the midfoot ( the inner side of the foot, just above the arch) Redness and swelling of the bony prominence. Vague pain or throbbing in the midfoot and arch, usually occurring during or after periods of activity.
Can custom orthotics help with accessory navicular syndrome?
Custom orthotic devices that fit into the shoe provide support for the arch and may play a role in preventing future symptoms. Even after successful treatment, the symptoms of accessory navicular syndrome sometimes reappear. When this happens, nonsurgical approaches are usually repeated.
What percentage of people have accessory navicular bone?
An accessory navicular bone is present in ~10% of the population. It first appears in adolescence, with incidence of 4-21% in children. It is more common in females. Reported prevalence bilaterally is ~70% (range 50-90%) People who have an accessory navicular are often unaware of the condition as it causes no symptoms.
How many surgeries are there for navicular symtoms?
There are 2 surgeries that can be performed depending upon the condition and symptoms. A simple surgical excision to remove the accessory navicular along with its prominence. In this procedure, the incision is made dorsally to the prominence of the accessory navicular. Symptoms are relieved in 90% of cases.
How to differentiate navicular prominence from talar head prominence?
Differentiation of the navicular prominence from the talar head prominence in flat foot deformities by inverting and everting through the subtalar joint with a thumb over the bony prominence.
Which bone articulates proximally with the talus?
The navicular is an intermediate tarsal bone on the medial side of the foot, which articulates proximally with the talus. Distally it articulates with the three cuneiform bones. In some individuals it also articulates laterally with the cuboid. The tibialis posterior tendon inserts into the navicular bone.
Can accessory navicular syndrome cause pain?
People who have an accessory navicular are often unaware of the condition as it causes no symptoms. Some individuals, however, will develop accessory navicular syndrome, a painful condition where the bone and/or posterior tibial tendon become aggravated.
Why do you wear well padded orthotics?
Well padded shoe orthotics should be worn for arch support. This decreases direct pressure over the navicular.
Is the calcaneal pitch angle reduced in patients with a symptomatic accessory navicular?
The calcaneal pitch angle is also reduced in patients with a symptomatic accessory navicular than in normal subjects.
Signs of Accessory Navicular Syndrome
Accessory navicular syndrome is a congenital condition, meaning it is something that you are born with. The condition is more common in females than males. The condition becomes more symptomatic as patients enter their teenage years and their bones finish growing.
Treatment for Accessory Navicular Syndrome
Treatment for accessory navicular syndrome falls in two categories. The doctor will first attempt non-surgical treatment for the condition and then move to surgical treatment if that is not successful. Surgical methods are used when the pain becomes intolerable for the patient.
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Accessory navicular syndrome is a painful condition that can cause lots of discomforts. Luckily, there is treatment for the condition.
What is the navicular bone?
The navicular bone is one of the 26 bones in the human foot. It's important for connecting the ankle to the lower bones in our feet and helps form the arch that enables us to walk. It is prone to stress fractures, especially by athletes while kicking, sprinting, twisting, or falling.
Why is the navicular bone important?
Although small, the navicular bone is important in stabilizing the ankle and arch of the foot. Several ligaments and a tendon connect to the navicular bone, which enables efficient walking.
When does accessory navicular syndrome appear?
In adolescence, cartilage calcifies, which turns into bone. Often it is during this process when symptoms of accessory navicular syndrome appear. Some people don’t experience symptoms until later in life.
How to treat arch pain?
Treatment using anti-inflammatories and immobilization are typically successful in treating pain. Surgical alternatives are available, if needed, to alleviate pain and to restore the arch. 3
Can a navicular fracture occur?
Fractures. Acute fractures of the navicular bone can occur with injury. Stress fractures can occur from repeated stress. Athletes commonly fracture the navicular bone while kicking, twisting, or sprinting. Pain and change in how you walk are common with fractures.
Do people with accessory navicular syndrome know it exists?
Most people who have accessory navicular syndrome do not know it exists unless the extra bone causes a problem.
Can X-rays confirm accessory navicular syndrome?
History of pain, examination, and X-rays can confirm the diagnosis of accessory navicular syndrome.
