title: Stress fractures of the tarsal navicular.
abstract: Tarsal navicular stress fractures present a difficult diagnostic and treatment dilemma for the orthopedic physician of an active individual. Patients often complain of diffuse, poorly-defined symptoms and have a paucity of physical findings. Initial diagnostic evaluation often. fails to recognize navicular stress fractures which results in delayed diagnosis and treatment. A bone scan is sensitive in detecting this entity and the clinician should use this examination in any patient who is suspected of having a navicular stress fracture. After a navicular stress fracture is confirmed, a CT scan is required to identify the extent of the fracture. The progression of navicular stress fractures is fairly predictable; treatment can be tailored based on the needs of the individual as well as the stage of presentation. Nonsurgical and surgical options are effective treatments for this disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, 1725 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. simonlee25@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed