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Suggest Treatment For Broken Navicular Bone Of Right Foot
Question: I fell down concrete stairs yesterday and was diagnosed as breaking my navicular bone on my right foot. I have an appoinement with the ortho tomorrow afternoon but was trying to get an idea of what the treatment may be and also looking for a photo of what this bone looks like, what the purpose of the bone is and how important this particular bone is.
Brief Answer:
hi and welcome to hcm
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query.
This is small bone in the middle of foot in area called tarsus. With other tarsal bones,it actually connects toes and heel. Every bone in our body is important but navicular bone isnt problematic when injured since only one muscle is attached on it and it has no significant role in foot stabilization. Considering this,navicular fracture wont cause some functional disability. It usually causes just certain degree of pain and swelling and 6 weeks of cast and walking with crutches is standard treatment even for serious fractures. Very rarely surgery is necessary if there is dislocation of bone fragments. Wish you good health. Feel free to ask. Regards
hi and welcome to hcm
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the query.
This is small bone in the middle of foot in area called tarsus. With other tarsal bones,it actually connects toes and heel. Every bone in our body is important but navicular bone isnt problematic when injured since only one muscle is attached on it and it has no significant role in foot stabilization. Considering this,navicular fracture wont cause some functional disability. It usually causes just certain degree of pain and swelling and 6 weeks of cast and walking with crutches is standard treatment even for serious fractures. Very rarely surgery is necessary if there is dislocation of bone fragments. Wish you good health. Feel free to ask. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
This is probably a really dumb question but I've never had a cast before so not really sure. I'm a property insurance adjuster--drive from house to house to scope damages to homes (roof's/interior water/fire damages), write estimates to compensate customers for their damages. Can one drive with a cast on? Secondly, if six weeks is the standard period of time for the cast does that mean I will most likely be out of work for 6 weeks given the type of work I do? Many thanks for your help.
Brief Answer:
hi
Detailed Answer:
Yes,unfortunately usually so called "boot cast" is necessary for such fractures and it goes from knee to toes and immobilise ankle. so you wont be able to drive. there are some types of casts which are more flexible but you have to buy it.
However,if there wasnt dislocation of bone fragments then you can reject cast imobilisation and have more frequent xray check ups to look for sedondary dislocation of fragments. Or you can have surgery and it will speed up recovery but it carries other complication.It is hard to comment all this without xray finding,but generally this is treated as I said.
hi
Detailed Answer:
Yes,unfortunately usually so called "boot cast" is necessary for such fractures and it goes from knee to toes and immobilise ankle. so you wont be able to drive. there are some types of casts which are more flexible but you have to buy it.
However,if there wasnt dislocation of bone fragments then you can reject cast imobilisation and have more frequent xray check ups to look for sedondary dislocation of fragments. Or you can have surgery and it will speed up recovery but it carries other complication.It is hard to comment all this without xray finding,but generally this is treated as I said.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Last question. I went to the ortho yest. and they did cast it from my toes to my knee but was surprised that he didnt want to see me for another six weeks. I guess I assumed there would've been a follow up at some point in between now and six weeks to ensure everything is healing properly. I'm certainly not asking you to throw a fellow doctor under the bus or question his/her practices but in your opinion--is it normal to see the patient for the first time, cast it then not see the patient again for 6 more weeks which is when the cast is due to come off? Thanks for all your information, it's been really helpful.
Brief Answer:
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Honestly, this is not proper follow up period and most serious institution recommend follow up and RTG control in 2-3 weeks after fracture. of course,it depends from case to case. some fractures without fragment dislocation can be followed up more "liberaly" and doctor can decide is it necessary to repeat RTG and check for cast position. Navicular fracture arent complicated in most cases as I said. Also it rarely requires surgery so follow ups are less important comparing to other fractures. so your doctor obviously consider that there is no risk of bone dislocation or cast pressure so you can wait 6 weeks for follow up. I cant doubt in his opinion without more detailed medical documentation,but if you were my patient, I would do follow up and xray control in 2-3 weeks. In every case,rest,keep your leg elevated,take analgesia. if you notice tingling,loss of sensation or leg swelling,you should visit doctor.
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Honestly, this is not proper follow up period and most serious institution recommend follow up and RTG control in 2-3 weeks after fracture. of course,it depends from case to case. some fractures without fragment dislocation can be followed up more "liberaly" and doctor can decide is it necessary to repeat RTG and check for cast position. Navicular fracture arent complicated in most cases as I said. Also it rarely requires surgery so follow ups are less important comparing to other fractures. so your doctor obviously consider that there is no risk of bone dislocation or cast pressure so you can wait 6 weeks for follow up. I cant doubt in his opinion without more detailed medical documentation,but if you were my patient, I would do follow up and xray control in 2-3 weeks. In every case,rest,keep your leg elevated,take analgesia. if you notice tingling,loss of sensation or leg swelling,you should visit doctor.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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