Accessory navicular in children

Accessory navicular (AN) is a developmental variation of the secondary ossification center of the navicular tuberosity. Ten percent of patients with AN will have pain symptoms that affect walking and life. As the AN changes the position of the posterior tibial tendon insertion, children with AN often have posterior tibial tendon function insufficiency and flexible flat foot. Surgical treatment is often required after failure of conservative treatment. This article reviewed the etiology, clinical manifestations, complications, and treatment methods of AN.

Is Kidner procedure necessary during subtalar arthroereisis for pediatric flexible flatfoot that combined with symptomatic type 2 accessory navicular? A retrospective comparative study

BACKGROUND

Kidner procedure is thought to be able to eliminate the medial foot pain and contribute to restoring the medial longitudinal foot arch, making it particularly suitable for surgical treatment of pes planus that combined with symptomatic type 2 accessory navicular (AN). However, controversy remains, and the clinical evidence is still lacking. The aim of the current study is to verify the necessity of Kidner procedure during subtalar arthroereisis (STA) for pediatric flexible flatfoot (PFF) that combined with symptomatic type 2 AN.

METHODS

Forty pediatric patients (72 feet) who had undergone STA for flexible flatfoot and were also diagnosed with symptomatic type 2 AN concomitantly were reviewed retrospectively and divided into two groups (STA + Kidner vs STA alone). The visual analog scale (VAS), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, the Oxford ankle foot questionnaire for children (OAFQC), and the radiographic parameters that quantifying pes planus were evaluated as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of complications.

RESULTS

There were 35 feet in the STA + Kidner group and 37 feet in the STA alone group, with mean follow-up periods of 2.7 years and 2.1 years, respectively. The VAS, AOFAS, OAFQC scores and radiographic parameters presented no significant difference between the two groups both preoperatively and at final follow-up (P > 0.05 for each). The complications of STA surgery occurred equally in both groups, and Kidner procedure could lead to more incision problems (22.9% vs. 2.7%) and a longer time to return to activity.

CONCLUSION

Kidner procedure may be unnecessary during surgical treatment of PFF that combined with painful type 2 AN. Correcting the PFF while leaving the AN alone has a high possibility of relieving the pain in the AN region, and tibialis posterior tendon (TPT) rerouting hardly aids in reconstruction of the medial foot arch.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Subtalar arthroereisis combined with medial soft tissue reconstruction in treating pediatric flexible flatfoot with accessory navicular

PURPOSE

Accessory navicular is accompanied by the deformity of valgus flexible flatfoot. The surgical treatment includes reconstruction of insertion of posterior tibial tendon following resection of the accessory navicular. However, this treatment could not correct completely the deformity of valgus flexible flatfoot. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of subtalar arthroereisis combined with medial soft tissue reconstruction in treating 8-14-year-old flexible flatfoot patients with accessory navicular.

METHODS

Clinical data of 35 pediatric flatfoot patients (with 50 feet) with accessory navicular who underwent subtalar arthroereisis and medial soft tissue reconstruction between April 2013 and September 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Anteroposterior, lateral, and hindfoot alignment radiological images were measured in the weight-bearing position, and visual analog scale (VAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale, and satisfaction degree were evaluated. Also, surgical complications were recorded.

RESULTS

The average follow-up time of the patients was 30 ± 9.3 months. None of the patients presented wound complications, and no implant loosening was detected. The AOFAS and VAS scores improved significantly (P < 0.001). Radiological parameters, such as the talar first metatarsal angle and talonavicular coverage angle on anteroposterior foot view, Meary's angle and calcaneal pitch angle on the lateral view, and calcaneus valgus angle on hindfoot alignment view improved significantly (P < 0.001). Postoperative complications were observed in three patients.

CONCLUSION

Subtalar arthroereisis combined with medial soft tissue reconstruction significantly alleviated pain and improved the functions in pediatric and adolescent flexible flatfoot patients with accessory navicular; also, the radiological manifestations and functions improved.

Assessing the Outcomes Associated with Accessory Navicular Bone Surgery-a Systematic Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to evaluate the existing literature in order to compare the clinical outcomes and complications associated with the kidner procedure and simple excision procedure. Furthermore, this review will help determine if one procedure is advantageous over the other in treating accessory navicular among patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Previous research on this topic has seen a low success rate in treating patients with symptomatic accessory navicular using conservative treatment options such as shoe-wear modification, braces, and/or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory. Surgical treatment such as simple excision and kidner procedure has shown to have minor complications including scarring and wound irritation with a generally high satisfaction rate from patients. However, cases where patients that had planovalgus or hindfoot valgus accompanying the accessory navicular were required to undergo revision surgery to treat the recurrent pain following the kidner procedure. Similarly, patients that underwent simple excision procedure with having flat foot were unable to complete the heel test postoperatively despite not reporting feelings of pain. Both simple excision and the Kidner procedure appear to be efficacious procedures with low complication profiles and high rates of patient satisfaction. Moreover, it has appeared that the female demographic is more likely to present symptomatic accessory navicular and undergo surgical treatment. To further explore the ideal indication for each, more prospective comparative studies are needed as well as radiological assessments pre- and post-operatively to evaluate anatomical changes in the posterior tibialis tendon area between both procedures.

[Outcome of modified Kidner procedure with tendoscopy for the treatment of painful accessory navicular]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate clinical efficacy of modified kidner procedure with tendoscopy in treating painful accessory navicular.

METHODS

From February 2014 to April 2019, 19 patients with painful accessory navicular were admitted, including 13 males and 6 females with a mean age of 26 years old (ranged from 14 to 58 years old), all of which were unilateral symptoms. The courses of disease ranged from 6 to 60 months. All patients received excision of accessory navicular and reconstruction of posterior tibial tendon insertion on navicular with anchor, and the tendoscopy were used to examin the posterior tibial tendon. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) midfoot score and visual analogue scale(VAS) were used to evaluate efficacy before operation and at the latest follow-up.

RESULTS

All the patientswere followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 73 months, with an average of (35.0±20.9) months. VAS score was 0.20±0.41 at the latest follow-up, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score of 6.33±1.95(t=11.50, P<0.01). AOFAS score was 95.53±5.79 at the latest follow-up, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score of 60.27±21.51 (t=5.71, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The modified kidner procedure with tendoscopy is a good choice for the treatment of painful accessory navicular, which could obviously relieve foot pain, improve foot function, and has certain clinical efficacy.

Painful Accessory Navicular and Spring Ligament Injuries in Athletes

Painful accessory navicular and spring ligament injuries in athletes are different entities from more common posterior tibialis tendon problems seen in older individuals. These injuries typically affect running and jumping athletes, causing medial arch pain and in severe cases a pes planus deformity. Diagnosis requires a detailed physical examination, standing radiographs, and MRI. Initial treatment focuses on rest, immobilization, and restriction from sports. Orthotic insoles may alleviate minor pain, but many patients need surgery to expedite recovery and return to sports. The authors review their approach to these injuries and provide surgical tips along with expected rehabilitation to provide optimal outcomes.

Comparison of outcomes of osteosynthesis in type II accessory navicular by variable fixation methods

BACKGROUND

To compare the outcomes of fixation methods for osteosynthesis of a type II symptomatic accessory navicular between screw and tension band wiring.

METHODS

Forty-four patients (mean age, 29.2 years; range, 13-54 years; 21 males and 23 females) who had undergone operative treatment after failed conservative treatment were chosen for the study between 2007 and 2014. The patients were divided into two groups by the method of osteosynthesis: group 1 (screw) and group 2 (tension band wiring). Pre and postoperative evaluations were performed, using the midfoot scale from the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), a visual analog scale, time to return to social activities, and plain radiography.

RESULTS

The AOFAS midfoot and visual analog scale scores of both groups were improved at the last postoperative follow-up. The time to return to social activities was 12.3 weeks in the screw group and 11.9 weeks in the tension band wiring group (p=0.394). A broken screw was observed in one case in the screw group and a broken k-wire was detected in two cases in the tension band wiring group. Nonunion was observed in two cases in each group.

CONCLUSION

The tension band wiring technique could be another treatment choice of osteosynthesis for fixation of the accessory navicular bone.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, Retrospective Case Control Study.

Revision Surgery for Recurrent Pain after Excision of the Accessory Navicular and Relocation of the Tibialis Posterior Tendon

BACKGROUND

The results of operative treatments for symptomatic accessory navicular are debatable. In some cases, recurrent pain may develop after the Kidner procedure. The purpose of this study is to review the reasons for recurrent pain after the Kidner procedure and to suggest possible options for revision surgery.

METHODS

We reviewed the clinical and radiological outcomes in 9 patients who underwent revision surgery for recurrent pain after the Kidner procedure. During the revision surgery, the tibialis posterior tendon was reattached to the navicular either by advancing the tendon in 4 patients or by lengthening the tendon in another 4 patients. In the other 1 patient, the flexor digitorum longus tendon was transferred. Surgeries for the accompanying deformities were performed simultaneously in all patients. The results were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score and a visual analog scale. The mean follow-up was 2.3 years (range, 1 to 5 years).

RESULTS

The mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score improved from 71.25 to 81.50 in the advancement group, and 71.75 to 90.00 in the lengthening group. The mean visual analog scale improved from 7.75 to 4.25 in the advancement group and from 7.50 to 1.75 in the lengthening group.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrent pain after the Kidner procedure was associated with pes planovalgus or hindfoot valgus deformity. In revision surgery, correction of the associated deformities and reattachment of the tibialis posterior tendon after lengthening may need to be considered.

Longitudinal radiographic behavior of accessory navicular in pediatric patients

BACKGROUND

An accessory navicular is generally asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on radiographs. The natural history of an accessory navicular in the pediatric population is largely undescribed.

METHODS

The medical charts of 261 pediatric subjects undergoing 2620 annual unilateral radiographs of the foot and ankle (age range 0.25-7 years at enrollment) were reviewed. Radiographs were examined to determine the incidence of accessory navicular, with focus on the age at appearance and, if present, the age at fusion. Skeletal maturity was graded based on ossification pattern of the calcaneal apophysis.

RESULTS

Accessory navicular was identified in 19 subjects (n = 12 males, n = 7 females, p = 0.43), appearing significantly earlier in the female subjects than in the male ones (p = 0.03). Fusion was documented in 42% (n = 8) of subjects, occurring at a mean (±standard deviation) age of 12.5 ± 1.0 years in females and 14.1 ± 2.7 years in males. Skeletal maturity grading demonstrated comparable stages of maturity at the time of fusion between male and female subjects (p = 0.5). Based on an analysis of 160 subjects with serial images extending at least one standard deviation past the mean age of appearance, the overall incidence was 12%.

CONCLUSION

Our review of pediatric subjects showed that accessory navicular appeared earlier in females than in males. Fusion occurred in 42% of patients at comparable levels of skeletal maturity between the male and female subjects. No significant differences in overall incidence, skeletal maturity, fusion rate, or age of fusion were noted between the male and female subjects.