Cuboid-Navicular Tarsal Coalition: Report of a Small Case Series with Description of a Surgical Approach for Resection

Tarsal coalitions are an uncommon pathology, representing approximately a 1% occurrence in the general population, and most commonly diagnosed in the younger population. Coalitions between the cuboid and navicular are especially rare. In this case series, all patients were young (15-35 years of age), active patients with fibrous coalitions at the cuboid-navicular interface; 3 of the 4 patients related a past history of ankle sprains on the affected side. After conservative treatment was exhausted and a diagnostic injection was performed that eliminated the pain, surgical intervention was used that consisted of coalition resection and interposition of an adipose graft harvested from the lower leg. All patients were able to return to their previous level of activity and remain pain-free at the surgical site. Our series of 4 cases of this coalition suggests that, although rare, cuboid-navicular coalition should be included in the differential diagnosis when patients present with persistent foot pain and suspicion of tarsal coalition is high. We also demonstrate that surgical resection of this coalition with an interpositional adipose graft provides excellent results.