Stress fractures of the tarsal navicular in long-distance runners.

The authors report on a study that attempted to (1) determine anatomic variations that predispose runners to tarsal navicular stress fractures; (2) study that loading responses of runners with stress fractures and of uninjured runners; (3) study the mechanical factors and biomechanics of the foot during running; (4) define a population at risk for developing stress fractures; and (5) propose an alteration in footwear that may reduce the force across the talonavicular joint.