Wednesday, 20 August 2014

Basic Information On Navicular Pain

By Deanne Shepard


The mid foot composes of several bones among them being the navicular bone. The specific location of this bone is on over the arch. Such bone also exists in the arm. Navicular pain in mid foot is mostly caused by fractures to this bone. The pain is worsened because the largest muscle in foot attaches to it. The muscle undergoes contraction and relaxation when the foot is moved causing the ache felt to worsen.

Both animals and humans experience this pain due to many reasons. Among the main reasons are severe twists, repeated stress, a fall, and direct trauma caused to the structure. Excessive weight bearing exercises such as dancing and jumping cause a fracture to develop slowly with time. The problem is also most likely to be caused by changing conditions of training or increasing activity are.

This condition is revealed in several different ways in different patients. However, the most typical symptom is a poorly localized pain experienced in the inner arch of feet or ankle. Participation in impact activity like sprinting or hopping increases the pain which goes away upon resting. Other major symptoms are altered gait, swelling, tenderness around the area, and pain in one foot. Patients are normally unable to participate in impact activities in advanced stages of this condition.

Diagnosis of this condition depends on a few factors. In some cases, the problem can be diagnosed through a thorough objective and subjective examination by a physiotherapist. In cases where a physical examination is not sufficient, other diagnostic procedures can be employed. Most commonly used diagnostic procedures include CT scans, MRI scans, bone scans, and X-ray. Bone scans reveal the presence of fractures and their severity.

The choice of a treatment option is dependent on the level of seriousness of the problem. Surgical and non-surgical are the two categories into which treatment options are classified. Non-surgical techniques employ casts and crutches, medication, and physical therapy among other methods. Casts allow faster and easier healing by holding bones together. Casts go together with crutches hence patients always use crutches when they have casts.

Physical therapy employs various manipulation techniques to restore the normal shape and position of bones in feet. One may need over 9 months to regain their full physical ability. Some physiotherapists prescribe oral nonsteroidal anti-flammatory drugs in some cases. Another non-surgical approach prescribed by some physiotherapists is immobilization together with injected or oral steroids. The steroids reduce inflammation and pain.

Non-operative or conservative treatment needs to be maintained for over 4 to 6 months before surgical treatment can be sort. Surgery is used rarely and only in cases that are very serious. This approach aims at realigning bones back into position. Casts and crutches must be used after the surgery.

One can also take some steps to prevent fractures and pain from occurring in navicular bone. Some of the preventive measures include wearing shoes that fit and support feet well. The shoes should also be appropriate for the activity one is involved in. The diet one eats should be rich in vitamin D and calcium for proper development of bones.




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