About 2.5% of the United States population is born with an extra foot bone, known as the accessory navicular. At Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers, with multiple locations in Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, and Mount Clemens, Michigan, the podiatry team offers treatment for chronic pain and mobility issues associated with accessory navicular syndrome. To learn more about treatment options for accessory navicular syndrome, schedule a consultation online or by phone at the Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers nearest you today.

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What is an accessory navicular?

An accessory navicular is an abnormal, extra piece of bone or cartilage that develops on the inner side of your foot, just above your arch. It’s considered a congenital defect, as you are born with the condition and not everyone has the added cartilage or bone in their foot.

This extra structure attaches to the posterior tibial tendon, which can result in a painful condition known as accessory navicular syndrome.

If you have an accessory navicular, you may not even be aware of it. However, some may develop chronic pain when the extra bone or cartilage aggravates the tendon. In many cases, the irritation occurs due to:

  • Excessive activity
  • Foot or ankle trauma
  • Wearing ill-fitting shoes

You may also have flatfoot, a condition where your arches fail to form properly. Many with accessory navicular syndrome have flatfoot and experience chronic inflammation and discomfort from the excess strain a lack of arches puts on the posterior tibial tendon.

What’s the process for diagnosing accessory navicular syndrome?

You should schedule a consultation with the team at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers if you experience symptoms like:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Visible protruding bone near the arch

Symptoms can develop in adolescence but may not become persistent until you’re an adult and the cartilage and bones in your foot reach maturity.

The podiatry team at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers can determine if you have accessory navicular syndrome through a thorough exam and X-ray images of your foot.

What’s the treatment for accessory navicular syndrome?

Initially, your provider at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers may recommend nonsurgical treatments to ease pain, such as immobilizing the affected foot to allow the tendon time to rest. Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories can also increase your comfort.

Your podiatrist may also recommend physical therapy to stretch the tendon and strengthen the muscles in your foot. Wearing orthotic devices in your shoes provides support if you have flatfoot and can reduce your risk for trauma to the tendon and persistent pain.

If conservative treatments aren’t enough to address pain and other symptoms of accessory navicular syndrome, your provider may recommend surgery to remove the excess bone or cartilage and repair any damage to the posterior tibial tendon.

To schedule a consultation for symptoms of accessory navicular syndrome, call the Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers nearest you or request an appointment online now.