Useful Information Regarding Navicular Disease Treatment

By Michael Cooper


Navicular syndrome is one of the most popularly happening horse conditions. Seasonal lameness in equines is a major condition caused by this condition especially in horses. A degenerative disorder of structures located within heels of horses is what this syndrome is. Navicular disease and caudal heel pain syndrome are the other names used in reference to the condition. Degeneration of inflammation of navicular bones and structures that surround it are caused by this condition. This is what Navicular disease treatment are all about.

This disorder is restricted just to the limbs of the horse. Among the affected parts include deep digital flexor tendon, navicular bursa and distal limpar ligament. Deep digital flexor tendon is found in the leg around navicular bones. This structure is normally located at the rear of the heel. Alterations in the bursa and the horn frequently lead to pain in the tendons and ligaments around this section.

There are several signs that are characteristics of this disease. Chronic recurrent forelimb lameness is the major sign. In most cases, the lameness normally affects one limb but both limbs may be affected in some cases. Whenever the horse rests, the affected foot is normally pointed. Usually, hoof abnormalities also develop on the affected feet.

Additional signs include broken hoof pastern axis, under-run heels, medial lateral foot imbalance, and one foot may become smaller compared to the other in size. These signs may be hard to realize at the onset of the condition. However, as the condition gets worse, the signs become more obvious. By the time the signs become obvious, there is a lot of damage that is already caused to the affected leg.

To establish the presence of this disorder, a set of examinations have to be done. These examinations involve body scans, historical assessment, clinical examination and response to nerve block. During a complete clinical examination, the equine is scrutinized while standing inside and outside the shed. The feet of the animal are studied while on its feet and carrying no weight. The animal is caused to trot and walk following a straight line as it is observed.

The limb that is viewed most lame has palmer digital nerve block performed on. The small dose of local anesthesia is administered in order to localize the pain. The animal is given between 5 to 10 minutes prior to reevaluating it after the anesthetic has been administered.

After the palmer digital nerve block is performed, x-ray images of the feet of the animal are captured. The focus of the images taken is all angles possible of the limbs. X-ray images are captured from the back, front, and side for instance. In the images, tendons, bones and muscles are offered special focus. 3D images have been produced due to better technology.

Although x-ray images are handy, they do not give the level of detain that is regularly required in most cases. As an example, x-ray images may not show subtle bony alterations of concurrent injuries of the soft tissues. In that case, MRI scans are typically used to add to any x-ray images captured. Nowadays, MRI scan is the standard diagnostic imaging process for this condition.




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