A navicular fracture is a break in the navicular bone, a bone in the midfoot that helps form the arch and connects the ankle to the forefoot. This bone is critical for maintaining proper foot alignment and transferring weight during walking. Navicular fractures are uncommon but can be easily missed if not properly assessed. An early diagnosis and starting appropriate treatment is essential to avoid long-term complications.
Types of Navicular Fractures and Mechanism of Injury
Navicular fractures typically fall into two main categories:
- Acute fractures – caused by trauma such as a fall, direct blow, or high-impact sports injury
- Stress fractures – more common in athletes and occur gradually from repetitive strain, especially in runners and military recruits
Fractures may involve the body of the navicular or extend into surrounding joints, which can affect treatment decisions and recovery.
The Mechanism of Injury for Most Navicular Fractures
Most navicular fractures result from:
- Twisting or impact injuries during sport or falls
- Axial loading (landing on the foot after a jump)
- Repetitive overuse from high-impact activities like running, basketball, or gymnastics
- In rare cases, osteoporosis or low bone density may contribute to fractures with minimal trauma
The Symptoms of a Navicular Fracture
Symptoms can be subtle, especially in stress fractures, but may include:
- Midfoot pain, particularly over the top (dorsum) of the foot
- Pain that worsens with weight-bearing or activity
- Localised tenderness over the navicular bone
- Swelling and possible bruising
- Difficulty pushing off or walking normally
In stress fractures, pain may develop gradually and be mistaken for a strain or tendon issue.
Diagnosis of a Navicular Fracture
Accurate diagnosis is critical because navicular fractures can be difficult to detect on standard imaging. This may include:
- X-rays, which may be normal in early or stress fractures
- CT scans are useful for defining the location and severity of a fracture
- MRI is especially helpful for identifying navicular stress fractures when X-rays are inconclusive
Clinical assessment, combined with targeted imaging, ensures an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Access Ortho medical staff are skilled in diagnosing and treating navicular fractures. They have fracture clinics located in Brisbane (Indooroopilly) and Ipswich.
Treatment Approaches for a Navicular Fracture
Treatment depends on the fracture and where it is located in the bone:
- Non-displaced or stress fractures may be managed with a moon boot or cast and a period of modified weight-bearing
- Displaced or joint-involving fractures often require surgical fixation with screws or plates
- Follow-up care includes imaging review, activity modification, and rehabilitation to support return to normal function
Close orthopaedic follow-up is essential, as navicular fractures carry a higher risk of non-union and complications if not treated correctly.
Access Ortho offers follow-up care with orthopaedic surgeons in our clinics. This minimises the risk of complications.
Prognosis for a Navicular Fracture
With early diagnosis and appropriate care, many navicular fractures heal successfully. However, the prognosis depends on:
- Timeliness of treatment
- Fracture type (stress vs. traumatic)
- Whether surgery is required
- Adherence to non-weight-bearing and follow-up care
Delayed or missed navicular fractures can result in chronic pain, midfoot arthritis, or loss of function, so early specialist care is important.
Access Ortho has fracture clinics in Brisbane (Indooroopilly) and Ipswich, which offer rapid appointments for acute injuries such as fractures.
Role of Access Ortho in Diagnosing and Treating Navicular Fractures
Access Ortho offers rapid, expert care for midfoot injuries, including navicular fractures. Our Orthopaedic and Emergency Nurse Practitioners can assess your injury, provide immediate treatment, and organise appropriate imaging.
We offer:
- Referral for X-rays, CT or MRI when needed
- Same-day moon boot fitting, crutches, and weight-bearing advice
- Specialist orthopaedic surgeon follow-up care
If you have midfoot pain, especially following trauma or a change in activity levels, visit Access Ortho for a fast, professional evaluation—no referral is required.