admin@thefeetpeople.com.au

(07) 3356 3579

BOOK NOW
BOOK NOW

Accessory Bones

Jump to section

Icon not found What is an accessory navicular bone
Icon not found What is accessory navicular syndrome (ANS)
Icon not found Risk factors of leaving ANS untreated
Icon not found Symptoms
Icon not found Diagnosis
Icon not found Treatment
Icon not found FAQs

An accessory bone is an extra bone that isn’t typically present in most people, but is found in some due to a natural variation during bone development in the womb. Many accessory bones are found coincidentally while having no symptoms and investigating a different injury, while others may produce uncomfortable symptoms. 

The most common accessory bones in the body include: 

• os trigonum: an accessory bone at the back of the heel and ankle
  
• os naviculare: an accessory bone in the midfoot
  
• os peroneum: an accessory bone on the outside border of the foot, within the tendon of the peroneus longus muscle
  
• os tibiale externum: an accessory navicular on the inside border of your foot, just up from your ankle
  
• os vesalianum: an accessory bone to your fifth metatarsal (long bone of the foot) sitting at the ball of the foot by the 5th toe joint
  

What Is An Accessory Navicular Bone?

As mentioned above, an accessory navicular is an extra bone that is found near your existing navicular bone (see diagram for reference). Accessory naviculars are estimated to be present in approximately 10% of the population. Interestingly, in studies looking at the prevalence of patients presenting to a foot and ankle clinic, this rose to almost one quarter of patients. Additionally, in Asian populations, this rose even further to 34% for an accessory navicular, with one in two people having an accessory bone of some sort.

Accessory navicular bones are formed from an additional ossification centre, which fails to fuse with the rest of the navicular bone during development. It can be connected to the main navicular bone by a fibrous tissue or a cartilage joint. Having an accessory navicular bone doesn’t mean you’ll experience any pain or problems - however it may increase your risk of developing other foot problems such as posterior tibial tendonitis, a flatfoot deformity, or an accessory navicular syndrome. 

What Is Accessory Navicular Syndrome?

Accessory navicular syndrome is a condition where the fibrous tissue connecting the accessory navicular to the navicular bone is irritated or damaged, leading it to become inflamed or torn, causing pain, swelling, and tenderness in the midfoot. We see this most in those who participate in high-impact activities that involve running, jumping, or sudden changes in direction, and that have an accessory navicular bone - though many don’t know it at the time.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Leaving Accessory Navicular Syndrome Untreated?

Leaving accessory navicular syndrome untreated poses similar risks to leaving any injury untreated. You may experience ongoing pain and swelling that can worsen or remain constant. The pain and discomfort may interfere with your ability to walk properly and participate in exercise and other physical activities. In some cases, where ongoing inflammation damages the joint, arthritis may occur, contributing to pain and stiffness in the midfoot. If the accessory navicular bone (and any related inflammation) places excess pressure on the posterior tibial tendon, it may also increase the likelihood of developing a flat foot deformity, given the posterior tibial tendon is important in maintaining the shape and integrity of your arch.

What Are The Symptoms Of Accessory Navicular Bone Syndrome?

Signs and symptoms to look out for include:

• Pain on the inside of the foot, which may be sharp or dull and can be exacerbated by activities such as walking, running, or jumping
  
• Swelling around the midfoot
  
• Redness or warmth
  
• A visible bump around the midfoot or inside of the foot
  
• Difficulty wearing shoes that are tight or have a narrow toe box
  
• Weakness in the foot or ankle if the posterior tibial tendon has been affected
  

Accessory Navicular Bone Diagnosis

While our podiatry team may get an idea of whether it’s likely that you have an accessory navicular based on your physical examination, the only way to confirm this diagnosis is with x-ray imaging to detect the size and location of your accessory bone. Many of our patients actually unexpectedly learn about the presence of an accessory bone during an x-ray that is evaluating a completely separate injury or problem.

Accessory Navicular Bone Treatment Options

If your accessory navicular bone is asymptomatic and does not cause you any pain, discomfort or other interferences to your daily life, then it’s likely you won’t need any treatment.

For symptomatic accessory naviculars, after your diagnosis is confirmed, the first stage of treatment focuses on reducing any painful symptoms (if present) including inflammation. Resting the foot, avoiding movements that place further pressure on the accessory bone, using ice, keeping the foot elevated and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) can help temporarily reduce the swelling and pain at home. For effective symptom relief, the best treatment is using the MLS laser, an innovative and safe laser that is able to painlessly and effectively reduce pain without creating any heat or other side effects.

Next, we want to let the damaged structures heal while reducing the risk of future irritation. This may include the use of foot mobilisation therapy, other physical therapies, custom foot orthotics, good footwear, immobilisation devices like a brace or walker and lifestyle and exercise modifications.

If your symptoms do not show significant improvement, surgery may be considered to remove the navicular bone and repair any damage to the posterior tibial tendon, if present. This is not a treatment we see often, as the aforementioned treatment options typically have good outcomes and pain alleviation.

FAQs

How long does accessory navicular syndrome last?

We often see a notable difference in symptoms following our management plan within a few weeks of treatment, with complete symptom resolution within a few months. 

Is there anything I can do to prevent accessory navicular bone syndrome?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent this syndrome, however wearing comfortable and supportive footwear, avoiding footwear that is too tight, avoiding going too hard too fast during exercise, stretching well prior to physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the pressure on the feet can all work to help support good foot health.

References
[1]  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9557784/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7237265/