Tarsal Navicular Fractures in Major League Baseball Players at Bat

Abstract

Tarsal navicular fractures in athletes, although rare, can present both a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. Failure to recognize this injury and initiate treatment early can have devastating consequences. The physician must have a high index of suspicion for the injury in any patient with midfoot pain after a direct blow. Two case reports of tarsal navicular fractures sustained by baseball players at bat in which the diagnosis was not made early are presented.