Some people are born with an extra bone or piece of cartilage on the middle of the foot. Occasionally, people with this extra bone or cartilage develop a condition known as accessory navicular syndrome. This can result from any of the following:
- Improper footwear that causes irritation and rubbing against the extra bone
- Overuse or excessive activity
- Injury or trauma, as in a foot or ankle sprain
Symptoms
Typically, symptoms develop in childhood. However, some people may not experience these symptoms until they are an adult. These symptoms include:
- After activity and exercise you may experience pain or throbbing in the middle of your foot and arch
- A visible bony protrusion on the inner side of the foot, just above the arch.
- Redness and swelling of the bony protrusion
Treatment: Non-Surgical Approaches
In order to relive the symptoms of accessory navicular syndrome the following treatments may be prescribed by your doctor:
- Custom shoes or othodics to help support the arch of your foot
- Wear a cast or removable walking boot to decrease the inflammation
- Apply ice (covered in a thin towel) on the affected area
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Your doctor may have you do specific exercises to reduce swelling and alleviate pain and discomfort.
When Is Surgery Needed?
If non-surgical treatments are unsuccessful, even after repeated trials, surgery may be necessary. This may involve removing the extra bone, reshaping your foot, and repairing the tendon to improve its function.
