Surgical Management Navicular and Cuboid Fractures

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Podiatric Medicine
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• The tarsal navicular bone is crucial for the medial longitudinal arch of the foot.
• Navicular injuries can lead to significant long-term functional impairments.
• These injuries include stress fractures, acute avulsion, tuberosity, and body fractures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the recognition and treatment of common navicular bone injuries.
• To discuss both operative and nonoperative management strategies.
• To highlight potential complications following surgical intervention.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of common navicular bone injury presentations.
• Summary of current treatment guidelines for various fracture types.
• Discussion of post-operative complications and their management.

Main Results:

• Nonoperative treatment is standard for avulsion injuries and nondisplaced body fractures.
• Open reduction and internal fixation are used for displaced fractures requiring anatomic reduction.
• Common complications include pain, stiffness, arthritis, avascular necrosis, nonunion, and hindfoot deformity.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for managing navicular bone injuries.
• Understanding potential complications is vital for patient outcomes.
• This review offers a guide for clinicians dealing with these challenging foot fractures.