KÖHLER DISEASE
KÖHLER DISEASE
Köhler disease is a self-limiting avascular necrosis of the tarsal navicular. It is usually unilateral and most often affects boys around age 4 and also girls around age 5. The navicular is located at the apex of the longitudinal arch of the foot, where it is subjected to repetitive compressive forces during weight bearing. Normally, the navicular is the last bone in the foot to ossify, and irregular ossification is not uncommon, especially in boys. The navicular ossifies later in boys than in girls, and delayed ossification appears to make the navicular more vulnerable to compressive damage.