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Tarsal navicular stress fractures

Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine volume 10, pages 122–130 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of review

Navicular stress fractures are common in athletes and management is debated. This article will review the evaluation and management of navicular stress fractures.

Recent findings

Various operative and non-operative adjunctive treatment modalities are reviewed including the relevance of vitamin D levels, use of shock wave therapy and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), and administration of teriparatide. Surgical treatment may be associated with earlier return to sports.

Summary

The author’s preferred treatment algorithm with corresponding images is presented which allows for safe and rapid return to activities in the athletic patient. Future research is needed in evaluating the preventative effects of vitamin D and use of other adjunctive treatments to increase the healing rates of this fracture.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rothman Institute, 3300 Tillman Drive, 2nd Floor, Bensalem, PA, 19020-2071, USA

    Rachel J. Shakked

  2. University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA

    Emily E. Walters

  3. Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA

    Martin J. O’Malley

Authors
  1. Rachel J. Shakked
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  2. Emily E. Walters
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  3. Martin J. O’Malley
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Correspondence to Rachel J. Shakked.

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None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript, including, but not limited to, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, and paid expert testimony.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Foot and Ankle Sports Medicine

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Shakked, R.J., Walters, E.E. & O’Malley, M.J. Tarsal navicular stress fractures. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 10, 122–130 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-017-9392-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-017-9392-9

Keywords

  • Navicular
  • Stress fracture
  • Vitamin D