Fractures of the Tarsal Bone

ABSTRACT

Fractures of the tarsal bone, such as the navicular, cuboid, and cuneiform, are very rare. These injuries can lead to serious walking difficulties due to pain and deformity of the foot with delayed diagnosis of tarsal bone fractures during an injury to multiple lower extremities. The diagnosis can be done on simple radiographs. Sometime weight bearing radiographs or stress radiographs may be needed for further evaluation. Computed tomography is the most widely available diagnostic tool. Navicular and cuneiform account for the medial column of the foot, whereas cuboid for the lateral column. The treatment of tarsal bone fractures is primarily conservative management, but operative treatment is recommended for intra-articular displacement, dislocation, or shortening of the medial or lateral column of the foot. The operative treatments include screw fixation, plate fixation, or external fixation. Complications include malunion, nonunion, posttraumatic arthritis, avascular necrosis, and deformity of the foot. Tarsal bone fracture has to be evaluated carefully to prevent serious complications.