Tuesday, 26 August 2014

Information Worth Knowing About Navicular Pain

By Deanne Shepard


Navicular bone is among bones of the mid foot. Its specific position is on top of the arch. A bone of same type also exists in the wrist. Fractures in this bone is one of the reasons navicular pain is felt in the mid foot. The biggest muscle in the foot is attached on the bone. Any movements in the foot causes the muscle to contract and relax accordingly. Such movements are the cause of the pains felt.

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.

There are a few factors based on when diagnosing this condition in patients. In simple cases, a physiotherapist is able to diagnose by carrying out an objective and subjective examination. More advanced diagnostic procedures are only used in situations where a physical examination cannot work. X-ray and various forms of scans such as CT, MRI, and bone scans are the most widely applied diagnostic procedures. Use of bone scans has added advantage because it reveals both presence and severity of fractures.

The various treatment options available are applied depending on how severe the condition is. Treatment options fall under non-surgical and surgical techniques. Non-surgical techniques include use of casts, physical therapy, and medication. Casts are used to hold bones together to allow fast and easy healing. Patients may need crutches for walking during the entire period their foot is placed in a cast.

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.

Preventive steps can be taken to avoid fractures and pain in navicular bones. One of the most basic steps is wearing well fitting and supportive shoes. The shoes must match the activity one takes part in well. Development of strong bones should also be encouraged by taking diet with plenty of vitamin D and calcium.




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