Navicular Fractures with Dr. Erik Nilssen

Because of its location in the midsection of the foot, sandwiched between the long bones of the midfoot (called the metatarsals) and the heel bones, the navicular bone is a common site of fractures, especially among athletes. In the vast majority of cases, these fractures or breaks are stress fractures, overuse injuries caused by repetitive stress on the midfoot area. Runners, jumpers, dancers and other athletes are especially prone to these injuries, but they can occur in other people as well, especially among those who have reduced flexion in their feet which results in additional stress being placed on the arch and midfoot region.
To learn more, visit nilssenorthopedics.com/midfoo....

[@traciedominguez3524]

Thank you great explanation for mid foot pain and why the navicular is so special ! Easy to understand for my 15 yo daughter too. Keep sending more videos.

[@kathrynprice1578]

Thank you for this video, I've forwarded it to my podiatrist as she didn't inform me the seriousness of my injury.

[@StaticMusic]

This was really informative, thank you! I'm 2yrs post comminuted navicular from motorbike accident. Have problems running and walking long distances, but really it's a miracle I'm mobile on two feet!

[@lucasroigronda5348]

I have the same fracture in a motorbike accident too. I have now a needles to fix the bone for two months and then I’m start rehab. You say you have problems for run or walking long distances, but what do you mean with problems? Moderated pain? Can you live your life as before the accident? Thank you in advance. I’m very worried for this.

[@OliviaCunningham505]

​@@lucasroigronda5348 @StaticMusic How are you both doing? I hate hearing this. I fell from a ladder 9 ft onto concrete and I've cried so much thinking I may never be normal again. Also, have you heard of bone stimulation?

[@babobaloch9325]

Thanks Doc 😊

[@Clintti]

I was hit by hockey puck straight to my inner side of foot three weeks ago. Because walking was painful I went to CT-scan that revealed small chip fracture in navicular bone. There was only narrow gap seen in CT so there won´t be surgery if ossification progress well in next 4 weeks. I have removable no weight-bearing cast.

[@ellasandeman3454]

Thanks for the info, a seriously a great and engaging video. Can I ask a question, what is an os supranaviculare?

[@thenorthstar777]

Thank you for the music and calm voice in this video. I don't know if I broke mine or not but I just started having a little pain in and around that area and I felt like that bone might have been slightly more prominent than on my other foot, idk but I just overthink a lot as if I could be a hypochondriac. and I'm particularly overthinking a lot right now about if it's broken or not and stressing myself out way too much about it so thank you for explaining this in a calm manner to me 🤍

[@djr73]

I have a crushed navicular and broke my midfoot but I didn't know and it healed not even. Now have a lot of pain from the side of the navicular across on top of the midfoot to the other side.

[@rockmanxvenus2581]

Regarding navicular stress fracture, is there any kind of new method to heal the persisting wound (pain) besides conventional rehabilitation/surgery methods?

[@angelsworld8631]

I have a navicular bone and they did a X-ray on it and the gave foot slides it really hurts bad so you think I’ll be able to get it removed or get surgery on it

[@rhodrusselvaldez1950]

Hi i have navicular fracture but i m done with my cast my question is if i can walk again normally?? How many weeks?? Tomorrrow is my 2 weeks when my cast removed

[@tjday]

I have x rays and an MRI. Can you review it and tell me what’s going. I’m having severe foot pain. It’s been a year since my injury and I’ve been to 4 doctors and keep getting told it’s a simple sprain but the pain is not getting any better. No one is listening to me.

[@princesam3850]

I met with accident after 2 weeks came to know its Navicular Bone very bad fracture into more than 7 pieces, in 3rd week I went surgery by puttinga plate and a screw for the two bug bone. My foot has casted Doc advised to come after 6 weeks. But wenever i sit on the chair and let my leg dow hanging. I feel like its loaded heavy am running 5th week of cement cast I don't understand whether its healing sympots or anyother... pls comment...

[@rebeccawestie9191]

I broke mine because a horse fell on me. “Rare break” is never what you want to hear

[@OliviaCunningham505]

Sorry to hear this. Was it a complete break? How are you now and what was your healing process like?

[@obi-wankenobi4336]

I broke 11 bones in both feet and one of my legs when I got ran over by a forklift at work about 4 months ago but anyway I’ve had 2 surgerys in multiple places and one of these places was my navicular and I had a big screw put into and also a piece of bone from my heal was put into my navicular and then I had it taken out and this pain I’m still experiencing is agonising and I’m sick of this boot I’ve been wearing for four months but I was wearing 2 at one point so 1 is better then 2 I guess

[@sunnyroadtrucker1717]

*I have twisted my left foot numerous times, and I gain alots of weight and now I have this annoying pain on this navicular bone thing!*

[@tariqhafiz5362]

Dr Nilssen, very informative lecture on the topic of NSF … My question is if there is any utility of a SCP - subchondroplasty injection ( if a patient does not prefer ORIF ) for a Nonunion nondisplaced NSF ( suffered about 4 months ago ) . Repeat MRI continues to show moderate bone edema ( no line fracture ) despite NWB & Bone Stimulator therapy ( US and EM ) . Thank you kindly in advance for your input …

[@Nilssenorthopedics]

Hello Tariq, We apologize for the delayed response. I would not recommend SCP in the navicular. For non-healing stress reaction, I would suggest a percutaneous screw fixation. Should you have more questions, feel free to contact us on our website at bit.ly/2FgB6ts

[@OliviaCunningham505]

Anyone here heard of bone stimulation? I broke my navicular bone in two recently. I'm scared of doing surgery because it doesn't seem to be a guaranteed outcome of recovery. Also, it seems if the issue is blood supply, then doesn't using pins/screws seem contradictory to the healing process?

[@EpicSpiffer]

I’m 6 weeks post navicular ORIF surgery after a comminuted and displaced fracture from a snowboarding crash. I’ve finally graduated to weight bearing and OH GOD IM EXCITED. Hang on in there everybody!

[@OliviaCunningham505]

Hey, I'm glad it seems like you're healing! My bf is a snowboarder and I tried snowboarding for the first time in the soft hills of TN just days before breaking my navicular bone in two. I have cried so much reading how some find this bone so difficult to heal. I want to snowboard again, but I'm starting to freakout about whether I'll ever walk or run normally again. I'm scared to go the surgery route. Can you tell me a little bit more about your injury and recovery?

[@ssr_jimmybobby4603]

Exactly what happened to me wish I had seen this video years ago. Now I'm in a boot for the next 6 weeks I hope it heals, I don't want to end my basketball career so soon.

[@erasmusmack2443]

Ssr_Jimmybobby I haven't got my moon boot yet

[@Nilssenorthopedics]

We hope your injury healed! If you have questions, email us at [e-mail].

[@ssr_jimmybobby4603]

Update: 2020 3 years later... Life Story Incoming: As I said 3 years ago I was in a walking boot for about 8 weeks. The next 2 to 3 weeks I walked around normal and did some light physical therapy to regain strength and Range of motion. To be honest when I returned to action about 3 months later I still felt like something was off about my foot. I took a novice look at my MRI myself with the (RADViewer software I had become obsessed with this problem and studied if for hours) and noticed what I thought was a chip or a crack in my navicular bone 🦴... I pointed this out to my podiatrist and he said it is a Accessory Navicular bone. Unfortunately as a dependent on my guardians health insurance I was stoped from going to any further visits 🤦‍♂️. Fast forward 3 years later my foot still hurts till this day, I have been able to play at a decently high level (Div 1 basketball) but my hopes of the big leagues have been thrown asunder. Now working a normal job I have my own health insurance and am thinking of just removing the accessory navicular bone which destroyed my dreams of the professional basketball. Anyways now I am debating whether to see a chiropractor or see podiatrist to solve this once and for all. Will be getting updated MRI and X -Rays soon and will update this post soon. Thanks

[@NoHypeJizzReviews]

My navicular sticks like an inch out ffs

[@lo9273]

Hey i have had a fracture there for 8 years now. Doctors in Finland dont want to operate. I never tried a cast. Do you think offloading it completely could help it heal?

[@Nilssenorthopedics]

Please send us your most recent Xray and MRI with contact info to [e-mail]. Thank you!

[@lo9273]

Hello Dr. Nilssen I sent the text by email to you, but will be putting it here too just in case it wasn’h received. I have been in contact with you a year or so ago earlier about surgery for my navicular bone. I ended up opting for surgery in my home country of Finland. These fractures interest me a lot and I would love to ask your opinion on a few things if you have the time. My fracture is about 8 years old. They did an incision laterally. On the first attempt the fracture line was so hard the screw started to bend. They were able to pull it out before breaking it and I believe they used some other drill after that. They put in 2 screws and in doing so the screw got so hot it burned my skin. Afterall I think they did a good job putting the screws nicely/stiffly and paralell to the fracture line. Also some small holes were drilled medially to re-establish blood flow. No bone grafting. As for rehabilitation. In Northern Europe doctors tend to get their patients up on their feet very quickly, perhaps contrary to the US? -I was given cast with an extra built in heel piece. I was told I can already put weight on the heel for the first 3 weeks. Then move on to a cam walker until the 6th week where after I can will transition to full weight bearing. Jumps etc at 3-4 month mark. Follow up X-ray at 3 months. I am now just over 3 weeks post op. What worries me is am I going weight bearing too soon if I walk on it at 6 weeks and say goodbye to the cam? Is pain a good judge to go by? Or would it be better to play it safe and maybe wait until 10-12 weeks post of to resume walking? I begged for a follow up CT scan at 6 week and 3 months mark but they will only do one x-ray. I would also like to hear your opinion on the incision approach. Medially or laterally if the fracture is dorsally and not all the way through? I apologize for the long message and I hope you have the time to read it. Kind Regards, Rakel Jefremoff.

[@jovalyn5927]

Doc, I'm experiencing pain and inflammation at that part of my right foot. I had an accident February this year and I thought it was just a twisted ankle but it had a blue violet discoloration at that part of my right foot for a week. Did not see doctor and just took OTC pain meds. Eventually the discoloration fade away but my right foot still hurts and sometimes it feels hot and inflammed, and OTC pain meds is not working anymore, though I hardly use pain meds. Can it be a navicular fracture?

[@Nilssenorthopedics]

There are many variables. Please send us your most recent Xray and MRI with contact info to [e-mail] or call 850-435-4800 for more info. Thank you

[@sickin4392]

What was it?

[@matthewrozinski1933]

Can a navicular fracture have little to no pain when walking on it.

[@joel1390]

Yes, the top of my navicular chipped off (avulsion fracture) but it doesn't hurt. Currently in a boot walking on my heel.

[@mandyschlitt7834]

Hi there, not sure if you are still responding to questions here. I fractured my navicular bone 7 weeks ago, doc now says I can remove boot, and try walking, extremely difficult, painful, swelling, purple and can't feel or move my toes, extreme veinyness ( not sure that's a word) x-rays done but never had an MRI. Where do I go from here? Just want to put the boot back on for relief. 😥

[@OliviaCunningham505]

Hey, I'm sorry nobody ever got back to you on this. How are you now? Was your fracture a simple crack? My navicular bone was cracked in two.

[@Himanshu6043]

Sir I have fracture of accessory navicular bone. What should be done?

[@Nilssenorthopedics]

Hi Himanshu, We apologize for the delayed response, This was likely a misdiagnosis. An accessory navicular can often be confused for a fracture. I would need to see the films to confirm, which I am happy to evaluate. If you have any other questions we may be able to help with, feel free to contact our office at bit.ly/2FgB6ts

[@Nilssenorthopedics]

Please send us your most recent Xray and MRI with contact info to [e-mail]. Thank you!

[@jovictor3007]

How to tell if the issue is the navicular stress fracture or the posterior tibilalis tendonitis ? the pain is on the side of the navicular upon pressing.

[@tusharkaul6330]

Same question I have did you get the answer

[@jovictor3007]

@@tusharkaul6330 yes and no I got a shockwave therapy ewst from a chiropractor that greatly resolved the issue, for me it was muscle pain and tendons that pain can feel like bone pain but a podiatrist told me it was not possible to be bone pain because i had it for years ,he told me that if it was a bone fracture, it would have healed a long time ago bone fractures dont last years according to him. They heal quickly.

[@tusharkaul6330]

@@jovictor3007 Good to hear you recovered and thanks for your reply

[@mbarrantesm]

Wow, I feel better now, I got 5 screws and a plate, just from a foot sprain.

[@PoeLemic]

Well, looks like I might have to go down your path too. My foot hurts, and I hope my new Podiatrist can get this fucker fixed.

[@prestonbeck7642]

Completely shattered mine from a fall. The had to remove the bone and use a Z plate to hold the rest of the bone together on that foot. I think they said bone matrix's. Growing bone in my heel. Can you explain it a little to me

[@prestonbeck7642]

I had stem cell? They said the mixed it with my maro

[@Vercz10]

Broke mine in a fall, hope you heal well

[@OliviaCunningham505]

​@@Vercz10 @prestonbeck7642 Hi, I also broke mine from a fall. 9ft onto concrete and the bone just split in two. Can you let me know how your healing process is going?

[@impostor3569]

“This is one of the more ✨rare fractures✨” *broke mine at the age of 7 hehe*

[@AydinK-]

24th of feb I completely fractured my navicular in half, doctors done a x-ray and said the bone was close enough to each other it will just heal.. they put my foot in a half cast so top of foot and shin exposed... after one week they took it off and said it should be fine now. Should I make them do another x-ray?

[@freddyv4275]

What ended up happening to the fracture after that treatment?

[@erasmusmack2443]

I just got 8 skews and a plate in mine

[@justinjoseph129]

Hope you recovered out fine.

[@yacctactical1631]

I'm 18 and I broke my navicular bone and i will be permanently damaged for the rest of my life

[@mariaelizabethbotero2141]

THE WORST FRACTURE RIGHTG FOOT

[@dramaqueenn1990]

I got my fracture from falling down the stairs

[@Nina-qo1et]

Ouch, I accidentally slammed my foot to the floor 🤷‍♀️

[@syedaayeshafatima2115]

Same

[@syedaayeshafatima2115]

So how many weeks dii u put plaster on?

[@dramaqueenn1990]

@@syedaayeshafatima2115 I was in a walking boot for 6 weeks (3 weeks non weight baring) and it didn’t heal and so I had surgery. I was in a splint for 1 week, hard cast for 3 and the walking boot for 2 on crutches and another 3 weeks in the boot full weight bearing