Naviculo-cuneiform coalition--report of three cases.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Podiatry
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Naviculo-cuneiform coalition is an exceptionally rare congenital foot anomaly.
• Previous literature on this condition is limited, with only a few case reports documented.

Observation:

• This study presents three new cases of naviculo-cuneiform coalition.
• Patients reported mild midfoot pain, exacerbated by physical activity.
• Clinical examination revealed no significant foot deformities or restricted subtalar joint motion.

Findings:

• Conventional tomography confirmed the coalition in two of the three patients.
• 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy showed potential as a screening tool for this condition.
• The study suggests pain originates from the stress on cartilaginous bridges, rather than ossified fusion.

Implications:

• This research expands the understanding of naviculo-cuneiform coalition.
• It highlights a novel mechanism for pain generation in tarsal coalition.
• Findings may guide diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies for this rare condition.