The symptomatic accessory navicular bone: a report and discussion of the clinical presentation

An accessory navicular bone is a congenital anomaly caused by aberrant ossification. Usually asymptomatic, they are relatively common in our population. They can present in several different locations, which can have an impact on the clinical presentation and the degree of dysfunction. Occasionally, these can become symptomatic, which can manifest as chronic or acute on chronic foot pain. Diagnosis of this condition relies on radiographic evaluation. The 45-degree eversion oblique view of the foot is the most important view for identifying this condition, although several different imaging techniques can be used. Treatment of this condition includes both surgical and nonsurgical options. Ultimately, surgery yields the best outcome for young patients, though conservative management has relevance for less active patients. The following case demonstrates the presence of a symptomatic accessory navicular bone in a young athlete.