Accessory Navicular Bone Treatment Options

What will you discover in this section?

After learning about the accessory navicular bone (ANB) and its potential complications, this section will inform you about both surgical and non-surgical treatment options. You’ll gain insight into how to manage symptoms and choose the appropriate footwear for comfort. With the information from this section, you can confidently identify a path to well-being.

Treatment Options

Treatment options for the accessory navicular bone depend on the severity of symptoms and whether the bone is causing pain or complications. For the ANB, both conservative and invasive treatment options are available, each described in detail below.

Conservative Treatments

  • Avoid activities that worsen pain, such as high-impact activities (e.g., running and jumping). Modify daily activities to reduce strain on the posterior tibial tendon. Temporary immobilization with a walking boot or brace may be necessary for severe pain.

  • Apply ice to the affected area for 15-20 minutes several times a day. Icing helps reduce swelling and numb pain caused by irritation or inflammation.

  • Using over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen or naproxen, can help reduce pain and swelling. They should be used as directed to avoid side effects.

  • Perform exercises to strengthen the posterior tibial tendon, improve foot function, and reduce stress on the ANB. Common exercises include toe raises, resistance band exercises, and balancing movements.

  • Stretching can help relieve tightness in the posterior tibial tendon and calf muscles, which may contribute to pain. Calf raises and arch stretches improve flexibility and prevent excessive strain on the ANB.

  • A brace or ankle wrap can help stabilize the foot and prevent excessive movement that aggravates symptoms. Taping techniques, such as arch taping, can provide temporary relief by reducing stress on the posterior tibial tendon.

Invasive Treatments

  • If pain or inflammation is severe, a corticosteroid injection may provide temporary relief. However, this treatment is used sparingly to avoid potential side effects, such as tendon weakening.

  • If conservative treatments fail and the extra bone causes chronic pain, inflammation, or foot dysfunction, the Kidner procedure may be needed. The Kidner procedure is a surgical treatment used to remove the ANB and, if necessary, repair the posterior tibial tendon. The surgery has a high success rate, with around 95% of recipients returning to pre-surgery activity levels. Typical recovery time is 3-6 months, and most patients recover without complications.

  • Reconstructive surgery for the ANB is needed when the condition has caused severe foot dysfunction, particularly due to posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) or significant flatfoot deformity. Unlike the Kidner procedure, which simply removes the bone, reconstructive surgery is more complex and aims to correct structural issues in the foot. Types of ANB reconstructive surgery include tendon transfer or reconstruction, osteotomy (bone realignment surgery), and joint fusion (arthrodesis) for severe cases.

Footwear Selection

Coming soon…