Case report – midfoot pain in a collegiate athlete with polycystic ovaries: digging deeper into bones and hormones

Abstract

A 22-year-old female ultimate frisbee player, known with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), presented with chronic midfoot pain. Suspecting a bone stress injury, imaging showed bone marrow oedema of the navicular and accessory navicular bones. Conservative management included anti-inflammatories, load reduction, physiotherapy, orthotics and nutritional support. This case discusses the accessory navicular bone and highlights the significance of the interplay between PCOS and bone health in female athletes. Understanding these factors is important for injury prevention and optimal management in female athletes with PCOS.