Operative Outcomes for Accessory Navicular in Adolescents

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Pediatric Orthopaedics
• Foot and Ankle Surgery

Background:

• Symptomatic accessory navicular (AN) is a common foot condition in adolescents.
• It can cause significant pain and limit athletic activity.
• Understanding operative outcomes is crucial for guiding treatment decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the operative outcomes of adolescent patients undergoing surgery for symptomatic accessory navicular (AN).
• To assess the effectiveness of surgical intervention in pain relief and return to activity.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 22 adolescent patients (24 feet) with symptomatic AN.
• Analysis of patient characteristics, operative techniques (AN excision, tibialis posterior tendon reefing), and outcomes.
• Radiographic assessment for AN type, skeletal maturity, and pes planus.

Main Results:

• 91% of patients reported complete pain elimination post-surgery.
• One patient experienced minimal pain, and one reported no change.
• Surgical technique was not correlated with postoperative pain.
• High rate of return to previous athletic performance observed.

Conclusions:

• Surgical excision of symptomatic accessory navicular (AN) is a safe and effective treatment for adolescents.
• The procedure provides significant pain relief and facilitates a high return to athletic activities.
• Symptomatic AN appears more prevalent in females.