Abstract
Introduction: Supernumerary or accessory tarsal bones result from a failed fusion between the ossific nucleus and adjacent bone. It occurs rarely and is usually asymptomatic. The supernumerary bones can become symptomatic particularly following traumatism or in athletes.
Materials and methods: results: We report four demonstrative illustrations of supernumerary tarsal bones resembling a sprained ankle. Our patients are three male athletes (two footballers and a karate black belt) and a female basketball player. The mean age of our patients was 22 years (20-24 years). The accessory bones were os trigonum in two cases, an accessory navicular bone in one case and an os peroneum in the last. Posterior foot pain, after a traumatism, resembling a sprained ankle, was the major symptom in our athletes. Radiological investigations have an important place in the diagnosis of these supernumerary bones. After medical treatment, our patients described a spectacular improvement in their symptoms. Twenty-two months later, our patients had regained their high-level sporting activities.
Conclusion: Tarsal supernumerary bones can become symptomatic after an ankle traumatism and may resemble a sprained ankle. Radiological explorations can aid correct diagnosis. Conservative treatment is usually successful in such patients. Surgical management is reserved for when conservative methods fail.