Navicular fractures in elite athletes-2025 International Foot and Ankle Sports Consensus and systematic review.
Kassidy J Webber, Vanessa J Boggiano, Julia M Balboni et al.
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In 30 seconds
This Level V systematic review and modified Delphi consensus examined diagnosis, treatment and return-to-sport guidance for elite athletes with navicular fractures. The review identified 319 athletes; among those treated surgically, mean return to sport was 8.2 weeks postoperatively, and 98.7% resumed competition. The panel strongly supported 4–6 weeks of nonweightbearing after surgery and anticipated return to full sport within 4–6 months. Thirty-four consensus statements were developed, including 10 with unanimous agreement; two statements did not reach consensus.
Key findings
- Among 319 athletes in the systematic review, surgically treated athletes returned to sport at a mean of 8.2 weeks postoperatively.
- Competition resumed in 98.7% of surgically treated athletes.
- The panel strongly supported 4–6 weeks of nonweightbearing after surgery and return to full sport within 4–6 months.
- Of 34 consensus statements, 10 achieved unanimous consensus, 21 strong consensus and 2 did not reach consensus.
Why it matters
Navicular fractures can entail prolonged recovery, while treatment and rehabilitation approaches have lacked standardisation. This review combines published athlete outcomes with expert consensus to outline postoperative progression and return-to-sport expectations. The findings offer a structured reference for discussing recovery timelines, while the evidence level and consensus-based design warrant appropriate caution.
What to keep in mind
The evidence is Level V and combines a consensus process with a systematic review; the abstract does not report comparative treatment outcomes.