Journal Article

Transient osteoporosis of the navicular bone in a runner

Miltner, O., Weber, M., Piroth, W., Niedhart, C., Siebert, C. H.

2003

Overview

Transient osteoporosis or the bone marrow oedema syndrome is described as a self-limiting disorder. Transient osteoporosis usually affects only one bone, predominantly the proximal femur. Involvement of the foot is rare and often overlooked. A disorder of the navicular bone of the foot can be found twice in the literature. We report a case of transient osteoporosis of the navicular bone of the foot in a 20-year-old, female, top-level track athlete (400 m sprinter) treated with alendronate, and a review of the literature. The therapeutic options are limited, frequently consisting of non-specific, symptomatic therapy. Some authors report favourable results with core decompression, while others have reported good results with a conservative regime of symptomatic treatment and avoidance of weight-bearing until the clinical and radiological changes have resolved. In the described case, the patient had a favourable result after a short course of treatment with alendronate. She experienced almost immediate pain reduction and presented a complete resolution of the abnormal signal intensity on MRI. This rapid result makes the use of alendronate seem promising in athletes with transient osteoporosis, permitting an early return to high-level activities.

• Publisher: Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Adult / Alendronate - therapeutic use / Biological and medical sciences / Bones, joints and connective tissue. Antiinflammatory agents / Diseases of the osteoarticular system / Female / Humans / Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Medical sciences / Osteoporosis / Osteoporosis - drug therapy / Osteoporosis. Osteomalacia. Paget disease / Pharmacology. Drug treatments / Radiography / Running / Tarsal Bones - diagnostic imaging / Time Factors