Surgical Treatment of Symptomatic Accessory Navicular in Adolescent

Kim, Jong Min; Jung, Sung Hoon; Park, Byeong Mun; Moon, Chan Sam; Lee, Kil Hyeong

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the results of surgical treatment of the symptomatic accessory navicular in adolescent.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
11 patients who were 11~16 years old with symptomatic accessory navicular were identified between 2001 and 2009. Six cases were diagnosed after trauma and 8 cases were diagnosed by accident with painful bony protrusion on medial aspect of foot. In cases after at least 3 months of ineffective conservative treatment, patients were treated by resection of accessory navicular and reattachment of tibialis posterior tendon to the apex of the medial longitudinal arch using periosteum and ligamentous soft tissue without transposition of its course. And then short leg cast was applied for correction of the flat foot (if it is combined) which was molded into the longitudinal arch with the talonavicular joint released and foot inverted during about 6 weeks.
RESULTS
All were type II accessory navicular without tibialis posterior tendon lesions. In most cases pain was improved, results were excellent in seven and good in four. Calcaneal pitch angle and talus-first metatarsal angle was improved about 4.64degrees and 5.79degrees in average.
CONCLUSION
Symptomatic accessory navicular in adolescent might not be associated with the tibialis posterior tendon lesions. The surgical treatment composed of excision of the accessory navicular with simple replication of the tibialis posterior tendon without altering its course led to good results in most cases. The procedure has a low rate of complications. And it is easy to be performed with a good satisfaction.