Rare Cuboid-Navicular Tarsal Coalition in Female Sisters: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Genetics
• Pediatric Orthopedics

Background:

• Tarsal coalitions are inherited conditions resulting from failed mesenchymal differentiation.
• Often asymptomatic, they can cause adolescent midfoot pain due to microfracturing.
• Cuboid-navicular coalitions are exceptionally rare, with few documented cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of symptomatic bilateral cuboid-navicular coalition in adolescent sisters.
• To contribute to the literature on this specific type of tarsal coalition.
• To outline the challenges and management strategies for this condition.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of adolescent sisters with chronic midfoot pain.
• Review of prior conservative treatment attempts.
• Surgical resection of the identified cuboid-navicular coalition.

Main Results:

• Symptomatic fibrocartilaginous cuboid-navicular coalition identified in bilateral tarsal coalition.
• Surgical resection led to complete alleviation of chronic midfoot pain in both patients.
• Successful management of a rare inherited musculoskeletal condition.

Conclusions:

• Cuboid-navicular coalition is a rare but significant cause of adolescent midfoot pain.
• Surgical intervention can be effective in managing symptomatic tarsal coalitions.
• Further case reports are valuable for understanding and managing rare coalitions.