eMedicine Specialties > Sports Medicine > Foot and Ankle
Navicular Fracture: Treatment & Medication
Updated: Feb 11, 2008
- Overview
- Differential Diagnoses & Workup
- Treatment & Medication
- Follow-up
- Multimedia
Treatment
Acute Phase
Rehabilitation Program
Physical Therapy
Most patients are placed in a non–weight-bearing cast for 6 weeks. The importance of following a strict non–weight-bearing protocol must be emphasized to the patient. After 3 weeks, the state of the cast and the patient's adherence to the non–weight-bearing protocol must be assessed.
An exception to non–weight-bearing treatment is in patients who have pain only after significant exertion (eg, pain after running 2 miles). In these individuals, avoidance of running for 6-8 weeks may be sufficient to heal the fracture. The patient can then gradually return to his or her normal routine. If pain returns, then a non–weight-bearing cast may be indicated.
Surgical Intervention
Most physicians do not recommend immediate open surgical procedures when treating uncomplicated navicular stress fractures. In a comparison study by Potter et al, surgery had similar long-term return-to-activity rates relative to conservative therapy.45 In another study, bone healing took up to 4 months, for both operative and nonoperative treatment.9
Fractures that are complicated by dislocation are assessed for stability following reduction. If the navicular is stable, then treatment may continue as outlined for uncomplicated navicular fractures. If the navicular is unstable, then internal fixation is required.
A complete fracture with wide separation may benefit from early surgical intervention. In addition, if the patient is not expected to tolerate the rehabilitation program, surgical correction may be considered.
Other Treatment
Although no trials support the use of bone growth stimulators for navicular stress fractures, they may be a helpful adjunct.10 In particular, bone growth stimulators that use pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have been shown to have similar success rates when compared with open repair in tibial fracture nonunions.46,47,48,49 Whether these results are applicable to acute fractures and fractures of the navicular remains to be determined.
Recovery Phase
Rehabilitation Program
Physical Therapy
After the affected foot has been placed in a non–weight-bearing cast for 6 weeks, the cast is removed and tenderness at the N spot is assessed. If tenderness persists, then an additional 2 weeks of non–weight-bearing cast immobilization is recommended. However, if tenderness is not present at the N spot, then weight-bearing activity may begin. This activity is limited to a gradual return to normal activity under the care of a sports physician or physical therapist. The therapy may include muscle strengthening, range-of-motion exercises, and soft-tissue massage.
A stepwise regimen for the course of activity is as follows:
- The patient participates in his or her normal activities of daily life (ADLs), which may include swimming, for 2 weeks (Weeks 1 and 2).
- If the athlete remains free of pain after 2 weeks, a gradual return to jogging may be prescribed.
- After 2 weeks of a gradually progressive jogging regimen (Weeks 3 and 4), the patient is again assessed for pain.
- If the patient remains free from pain after 2 weeks after gradually progressing in the jogging regimen, then the athlete may gradually return to full activity over the final 2 weeks of the rehabilitation program (Weeks 5 and 6).
Medical Issues/Complications
Delayed union and nonunion produce persistent pain at the navicular. Plain radiographs and/or a CT scan may show the persistent fracture. In such cases, referral to a surgeon is required for open reduction and fixation. In addition, fracture of the tarsal navicular may be complicated by avascular necrosis.
Surgical Intervention
A comparison study of surgery relative to conservative treatment by Potter showed no difference in an athlete's long-term return to activity.45 However, tenderness was more common in the surgical group. Some athletes who successfully returned to activity for 2 years or more had persistent tenderness at the N-spot.
In a study by Saxena and Fullem that compared nonoperative treatment with operative treatment, navicular stress fractures took up to 4 months to heal, regardless of the therapy.9
Delayed union and nonunion of the navicular may require surgical intervention. A variety of techniques have been used for repair. These include (1) curettage and bone grafting, (2) internal fixation, (3) excision of the symptomatic ossicles, or (4) a combination of these techniques.
Other Treatment (Injection, manipulation, etc.)
A custom-molded orthotic with longitudinal and transverse arch support may be prescribed to help relieve stress on the navicular during this transition phase.
Maintenance Phase
Rehabilitation Program
Physical Therapy
In the maintenance phase, the athlete must adhere to the general guidelines that are indicated for preventing stress fractures. A constant level of daily activity should be maintained, and the athlete should increase or decrease this level only gradually. The athlete should initiate new activities and sports in the same gradual manner.
Medical Issues/Complications
As outlined in the Clinical, Causes section, an attempt should be made to identify a precipitating event or defect in training that contributed to the stress fracture.
Medication
As with all fractures, pain management should be a primary concern. Often, acetaminophen or an NSAID (eg, ibuprofen) suffices for the acute pain of a navicular stress fracture because immobilization and rest should considerably improve the pain. Moreover, the persistence of pain, especially in the recovery phase, is an important sign that healing has not occurred and the fracture is still present. However, additional pain relief should not be withheld if the patient does not have relief with acetaminophen or NSAIDs alone. In this case, an opiate (eg, oxycodone) may be required, particularly for breakthrough pain. Adjustment of pain medications may be necessary, especially in the acute phase.
Related eMedicine topics:
Opioid Abuse
Toxicity, Acetaminophen
Toxicity, Narcotics
Toxicity, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents
Related Medscape topics:
Resource Center Pain Management: Advanced Approaches to Chronic Pain Management
Resource Center Pain Management: Pharmacologic Approaches
CME Integrating Ongoing Research and Knowledge into the Clinical Management of Chronic Pain
CME Overcoming Barriers to Pain Relief: An Interactive Patient Case Symposium
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Analgesics
Pain control is essential to quality patient care. Analgesics ensure patient comfort, promote pulmonary toilet, and have sedating properties, which are beneficial for patients who have sustained trauma.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Feverall, Tempera, Aspirin-Free Anacin)
Indicated for mild to moderate pain. DOC for pain in patients with documented hypersensitivity to aspirin or NSAIDs, with upper GI disease, or who are taking oral anticoagulants.
Adult
325-650 mg PO q4-6h or 1000 mg tid/qid; not to exceed 4 g/d
Pediatric
<12 years: 10-15 mg/kg/dose PO q4-6h prn; not to exceed 2.6 g/d
>12 years: 325-650 mg PO q4h; not to exceed 5 doses in 24 h
Rifampin can reduce analgesic effects; coadministration with barbiturates, carbamazepine, hydantoins, and isoniazid may increase hepatotoxicity.
Documented hypersensitivity; known G6PD deficiency
Pregnancy
B - Fetal risk not confirmed in studies in humans but has been shown in some studies in animals
Precautions
Hepatotoxicity is possible in patients with chronic alcoholism following various dose levels; severe or recurrent pain or high or continued fever may indicate a serious illness; acetaminophen is contained in many OTC products, and combined use with these products may result in cumulative acetaminophen doses that exceed the recommended maximum dose.
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Ibuprin)
DOC for mild to moderate pain. Inhibits inflammatory reactions and pain by decreasing prostaglandin synthesis.
Adult
400-600 mg PO q4-6h while symptoms persist; not to exceed 3.2 g/d
Pediatric
<6 months: Not established
6 months to 12 years: 4-10 mg/kg/dose PO tid/qid
>12 years: Administer as in adults
Coadministration with aspirin increases the risk of inducing serious NSAID-related adverse effects; probenecid may increase the concentrations and, possibly, the toxicity of NSAIDs; may decrease the effect of hydralazine, captopril, and beta-blockers; may decrease the diuretic effects of furosemide and thiazides; may increase PT duration when taking anticoagulants (instruct patients to watch for signs of bleeding); may increase the risk of methotrexate toxicity; phenytoin levels may be increased when administered concurrently
Documented hypersensitivity; in the presence of peptic ulcer disease, recent GI bleeding or perforation, renal insufficiency, or high risk of bleeding
Pregnancy
B - Fetal risk not confirmed in studies in humans but has been shown in some studies in animals
D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Precautions
Caution in patients with congestive heart failure, hypertension, and decreased renal and hepatic function; caution in the presence of anticoagulation abnormalities or during anticoagulant therapy
Oxycodone (OxyContin, OxyIR, Roxicodone)
Indicated for moderate to severe pain.
Adult
5-30 mg PO q4h prn
Pediatric
0.05-0.15 mg/kg/dose PO; not to exceed 5 mg/dose PO q4-6h prn
Phenothiazines may decrease the analgesic effects; toxicity increases with coadministration of either CNS depressants or TCAs
Documented hypersensitivity
Pregnancy
C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Precautions
Duration of action may increase in elderly persons; be aware of total daily dose of acetaminophen, and do not exceed 4 g/d, because higher doses may cause liver toxicity.
More on Navicular Fracture |
| Overview: Navicular Fracture |
| Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Navicular Fracture |
Treatment & Medication: Navicular Fracture |
| Follow-up: Navicular Fracture |
| Multimedia: Navicular Fracture |
| References |
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Further Reading
Keywords
tarsal navicular fracture, midfoot fracture, mid-foot fracture, navicular stress fracture, navicular stress fractures, navicular cortical avulsion fracture, navicular tuberosity fracture, navicular body fracture, heel fracture, foot fracture, broken foot, navicular bone fracture, foot pain, N-spot, N spot
Treatment & Medication: Navicular Fracture