Basic Information On Navicular Pain

By Deanne Shepard


The navicular bone is one of the bones found on top of mid foot. Its location is the top of the arch. There is also such bone in the wrist. Navicular pain can be caused by many reasons one of them being fractures in the bone. The bone is attached to a major muscle in the foot, which contacts and relaxes with changes in position of the foot. Such movements in the muscle cause pains.

There are many causes for this kind of pain in human beings and even animals especially horses. Some among the major causes are direct trauma to the structure, severe twist, repeated stress, and a fall. The fracture develops slowly over time when one engages in excessive weight bearing activities like dancing, jumping, and sprinting. Changes in training conditions and increase in activity are also likely to result into the problem.

Different patients experience this condition in different ways. However, a poorly localized pain felt within the inner arch is the most typical sign in most people. Pain becomes worse when one participates in impact activity, but reduces upon resting or stopping. Other key symptoms include an altered gait, aching in one foot, swelling, and tenderness around the region. When the condition reaches an advanced stage, a patient becomes unable to take part in impact activities.

When diagnosing this problem, certain factors must be kept in mind. Sometimes a physiotherapist can diagnose the problem by simply examining it. If a physical assessment is not enough, advanced diagnostic procedures may be employed. Some of the advanced procedures used for diagnosis include x-ray, bone, MRI, and CT scans. Bone scans show both the presence of fractures and their severity making them advantageous than the other scans.

The choice of a treatment option is dependent on the level of seriousness of the problem. Surgical and non-surgical are the two categories into which treatment options are classified. Non-surgical techniques employ casts and crutches, medication, and physical therapy among other methods. Casts allow faster and easier healing by holding bones together. Casts go together with crutches hence patients always use crutches when they have casts.

Physical therapy involves a number of manipulation techniques, which return the bones back in their correct position. It can take up to 9 months for one to regain their full potential. Medication such as oral non-steroidal anti-flammatory drugs may also be prescribed. Some physiotherapists recommend immobilization together with injected or oral steroids to lessen inflammation and aching.

Four to six months is the standard period of time conservative and non-operative treatment should be maintained before seeking surgical surgical treatment. Surgery should only be used in worst cases. Surgical procedures performed are meant to restore the original shape of bones. After the surgery, crutches and casts may be required.

Fractures and pains can be prevented by taking preventive measures. Among the preventive measures is wearing shoes that fit well and provide support to feet. The choice of shoes should be done carefully to ensure that they suit the activity they are used for. One can encourage development of strong bones by consuming meals rich in calcium minerals and vitamin D.




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