Effect of Unilateral Accessory Navicular Bone on Radiologic Parameters of Foot

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to compare the radiologic parameters of both feet in patients with unilateral accessory navicular bone (ANB) and evaluate the differences from one another.

Methods: Forty-one patients with unilateral ANB volunteered to participate in this study from August 2019 to January 2020. Patient data, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), type of ANB, and presence of symptoms were obtained. Group 1 comprised 23 patients with asymptomatic unilateral ANB, and group 2 comprised 18 patients with symptomatic unilateral ANB. Seven radiologic parameters were evaluated assessing hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot alignment-calcaneal pitch angle, talocalcaneal angle, tibiocalcaneal angle, naviculocuboid overlap (NCO), talonavicular coverage angle (TNCA), anteroposterior talo-first metatarsal angle, and lateral talo-first metatarsal angle.

Results: The mean age of patients was 40.1 years in group 1 and 42.6 years in group 2. Mean BMI was 25.2 in group 1 and 26.6 in group 2. No significant differences were noted in the radiologic parameters between the ANB and contralateral sides in all patients. The radiologic parameters of both feet in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients were not significantly different. No significant differences were noted between the affected sides of type 1 and 2 ANB and contralateral sides in terms of the radiologic parameters. BMI was significantly correlated with NCO and TNCA.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the presence of an accessory navicular bone did not affect radiologic parameters of the foot. Radiologic parameters of both feet in symptomatic patients were not significantly different.

Level of evidence: Level III, diagnostic, comparative study.

Keywords: accessory navicular bone; body mass index; foot alignment; radiology.