Navicular bone osteochondrosis

　　The navicular bone is the keystone of the longitudinal arch of the foot, subjected to a large amount of stress and prone to ischemic necrosis. However, Caffey found that 30% of boys and 20% of girls have irregular ossification centers in their navicular bones. Some people randomly took 100 X-ray films of the feet, and 37% of the navicular bones developed from multiple ossification centers. Indeed, some children may also show irregular fragmentation of the navicular bone due to other reasons when taking X-ray films. Moreover, the X-ray films of the asymptomatic foot on the opposite side of the child may also show similar manifestations as the symptomatic side. Clinically, the symptoms of this disease start abruptly, and the medical history is often only 1-2 days, but its X-ray manifestations cannot be formed in a short period of time, and it is unimaginable that bone necrosis can exist for a long time without symptoms. Therefore, many scholars currently believe that this disease is a normal growth variation.

　　The complications of this disease are relatively rare, and careful observation can reveal that patients often walk with the outer edge of their foot. Severe cases can lead to irregular fragmentation of the navicular bone, and patients may also develop osteonecrosis. Complications that are easy to occur during the treatment process include non-union of bones, ischemic necrosis of the navicular bone, traumatic arthritis, and collapse of the arch of the foot.

　　It is widely known that the arch of the foot plays a crucial role in adapting to the functions of the foot. The arch has elasticity, which can cushion the vibration generated by walking and protect the blood vessels and nerves on the sole from compression. Therefore, the focus of foot trauma treatment is to maintain the stability of the arch. The navicular bone is located at the top of the medial longitudinal arch, surrounded mostly by joints, with poor blood supply. This is one of the reasons why complications may occur in the treatment of this disease.

　　The main clinical manifestations of navicular osteochondritis are pain, and patients often complain of pain in the foot back, which worsens when bearing weight, and also pain at night, and gradually appear limping. There is mild swelling and tenderness above the navicular bone, and it also hurts when pressing on the longitudinal arch of the foot.

　　Clinically, the symptoms of this disease start abruptly, and the history is often only 1-2 days, but its X-ray manifestations cannot be formed in the short term, and it is unimaginable that bone necrosis can exist for a long time without symptoms. There are no special preventive measures for this disease, and early detection and treatment are the main preventive measures.

　　The most commonly used auxiliary examination method for this disease is X-ray examination. The X-ray shows that the density of the navicular bone deepens and flattens, which can be only 1/2 to 1/4 of the thickness of the normal navicular bone, and then can present as a fragmented state. The intervertebral spaces of the adjacent joints are widened, and after the disease heals, the navicular bones of most patients return to normal. In cases where routine X-ray examination cannot be clearly identified but there are suspected symptoms, CT examination should be performed to obtain clearer images, which is helpful for diagnosis.

　　Patients with navicular osteochondritis should have a diet that is light and nutritious, eat more calcium-rich foods, and eat more vegetables and fruits such as bananas, strawberries, and apples. Because they are rich in nutrients, eat more foods that enhance immunity such as propolis. This can enhance personal disease resistance, and pay attention to a reasonable diet and adequate nutrition in daily life. Patients with navicular osteochondritis should avoid smoking and drinking, spicy, greasy, and cold foods to prevent the recurrence of the disease.

　　Navicular Osteochondritis, also known as avascular necrosis of the navicular bone. In the acute stage, the short leg cast can be fixed for about 6 weeks, and then shoe pads can be used. Occasionally, osteoarthritis may occur due to the deformation of the navicular bone, in which case fusion surgery is performed. Joint fusion surgery, also known as joint fixation surgery, is a surgical procedure to relieve joint rigidity, which can help alleviate pain, stop the disease process, or provide joint stability. In addition, it can also prevent the collapse of the arch of the foot and restore the good function of the foot.