The postoperative outcome in recurrent navicular osteochondroma: A rare case report and literature review

Introduction: Osteochondromas are the most common benign bone tumors, common in long bones, and rare in the foot and ankle. They usually occur in skeletally immature bones and do not recur. Malignant transformation is rare but should be considered in such cases of recurrence and properly investigated. Case report: We hereby present a rare case of navicular bone exostosis which was first managed nonoperatively failing which excisional biopsy was done. But the lesion recurred after 1 year with compression and impingement of the extensor digitorum longus tendon with subsequent tendinosis. After the failure of conservative management, surgical intervention was done with exophytic lesion excision and naviculectomy. After this patient was symptomatically relieved. Discussion: This is the first case of recurrence of navicular bone osteochondroma. Arthrodesis was not done due to minimal or no joint erosion/arthrosis and left for final management in case symptoms recur after bone excision. Management of small bone osteochondroma is difficult and debatable since no clear guidelines have been suggested for it.