Bilateral foot pain in a collegiate distance runner

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Radiology

Background:

• Plantar foot pain is common in runners, often initially diagnosed as plantar fasciitis.
• Recalcitrant cases may indicate less common pathologies.
• The navicular bone is susceptible to stress injuries in athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a case of bilateral navicular stress fractures in a collegiate runner.
• To discuss the diagnostic challenges and treatment of navicular stress fractures.
• To raise awareness of navicular stress fractures as a potential cause of foot pain in athletes.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 19-year-old female cross-country runner.
• Clinical evaluation for bilateral plantar foot pain.
• Diagnostic imaging including bone scan and CT scan.

Main Results:

• Initial diagnosis of plantar fasciitis was suspected.
• Imaging revealed bilateral navicular stress fractures.
• The patient's condition did not improve with initial treatment for plantar fasciitis.

Conclusions:

• Navicular stress fractures may be underdiagnosed.
• Systematic evaluation and advanced imaging are crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• Early and appropriate treatment is essential for managing navicular stress fractures in athletes.