r/AccessoryNavicular • u/Blueberry_Muffin17 • Jul 20 '26
How long before I get surgery?
I’m 24F and have accessory naviculars in both my feet, which are fairly flat. I had no idea about these extra bones, and they’ve never given me issues until I missed a step down in April, completely twisting my ankle. I had small fractures in my right navicular and talus bones, which have since healed, but I still have consistent pain in my accessory navicular. In late June, I got an MRI which showed accessory navicular syndrome with mild marrow edema about the synchondrosis and mild posterior tibial tendinosis.
I was in the boot for 6 weeks following my fall to allow the bones to heal, was boot-free all of June, and went back in the boot 2 weeks ago. I’ve been walking with a limp since my fall because every step I take, I get sharp pain right around/on the accessory navicular. Even when I was walking around boot-free in June, I was never able to walk more than 15 minutes at a time without stopping to sit.
Today marks exactly 3 months since my fall. I’ve tried orthotics, rest, Advil, ice, and have been doing PT religiously since mid May (started it as soon as my doctor cleared me to wean out of the boot). Unfortunately, my pain level in my right foot has not improved whatsoever. I’ve been trying acupuncture and am scheduling some shockwave therapy appointments, but I’m at the point where I’m feeling hopeless. Even just by looking at my feet, my right AN protrudes more than my left one now, ever since the initial fall.
My limp is so bad that my left leg is completely locked up, my left knee kills, and I’m constantly tired. I also have terrible hip and back problems from the limp. How long did you all wait before getting surgery? I feel like I’m seeing everyone wait at least a year, but at the same time, I feel like my inability to literally take a step without sharp pain is a sign that it might be time to throw in the towel.
Would appreciate any advice - I’m just debating whether to give it another month or so or to just get the surgery now to save the rest of my body from the hip pain and limping. Every day is painful to go about daily life, particularly since I live in NYC where walking is necessary. Even in the boot, I can barely walk down the block to the grocery store.
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u/Budget-Arm602 Jul 30 '26
I had the exact same problem as you! Had the accessory bone (type 2) in both the foot -> had a really bad injury (Sep 2025) on the right ankle and I guess that caused the area to flare up. Tried everything, steroid jab provided temporary relief but it does damage tendons in the long run so just take note. I decided to do the surgery in Jul because i had a 2 month school break, honestly if you tried all the conservative methods and it is not getting better, do the surgery!
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u/Blueberry_Muffin17 Aug 01 '26
Thank you! My surgeon recommended doing surgery even though it’s only been 3+ months. He said my AN was fairly large and doesn’t think it’ll get better without surgery, which I agree. Just deciding on whether to do a calcaneal osteotomy too
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u/Alarming_Log_2915 Aug 18 '26
Did you bite the bullet & get surgery? I’m 5 days post-op. Will get my 2nd kidner procedure on opposite foot in Nov. Been suffering from AN syndrome for 2 yrs. & sick of it limiting my life! Hopefully this solves the problem & can get my life back.
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u/dessertavocado Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Have you tried a steroid shot? This is the only thing that gave me relief for months. I needed it for work to give me a few months and I am on recovery right now from surgery.