A Case Report of Tarsal Navicular Body Fracture with Lateral Ankle Ligament Complex Tear – a New Injury Combination

Introduction: Fractures of tarsal navicular bone are a rare injury. A navicular fracture can occur either in isolation or associated with other bony or ligamentous injuries, depending on the severity and mechanism of trauma at the time of impact. We report a previously undescribed injury combination of navicular fracture with tear of the lateral ankle ligament complex. Case Report: An 18-year-old professional long jump athlete presented with a history of twisting injury immediately before taking off, while attempting a jump. A detailed clinical examination and radiological assessment with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan were performed. She was diagnosed to have a navicular body fracture with complete rupture of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). Acute fixation of navicular body fracture along with primary repair of ATFL and CFL was done. The final outcome of the patient was good with return to unrestricted physical activities after 4 months. Conclusion: A new injury combination of navicular fracture along with lateral ankle ligament complex tear is reported in a professional athlete. A high index of clinical suspicion and early detection using CT and MRI scan can identify this rare injury combination. Surgical treatment can result in favorable outcomes. Keywords: Tarsal navicular bone, fracture, anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging scan.

Dorsal Fracture-Dislocation of the Tarsal Navicular

Fracture-dislocations of the tarsal navicular are rare and highly complex injuries to the midfoot. The only published data on this type of fracture are clinical case reports. These injuries are normally caused by high-energy trauma, and their pathophysiology and most appropriate treatment remain unclear. We report a clinical case of a dorsal fracture-dislocation of the tarsal navicular bone associated with a medial swivel dislocation of the Chopart joint caused by a bicycle fall in a 20-year-old healthy man. Open reduction and percutaneous pinning in a novel arrangement was performed, with an excellent outcome 18 months after the injury.

Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Tarsal Navicular Bone

Osteochondritis dissecans most often affects the convex articular surfaces of the knee, the elbow, and the ankle joints; other sites of manifestation are very rare. Here we report a case of osteochondritis dissecans of the talonavicular joint affecting the concave part of the tarsal navicular bone in a 22-year-old woman, which was successfully treated by surgery, leading to complete recovery. Early diagnosis and surgery in stages of undamaged cartilage may help to prevent disease progression and the development of disabling osteoarthritis in the physiologically heavily loaded talo-navicular joint. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 102(4): 338-342, 2012)