What You Should Know About Navicular Disease Syndrome
The navicular bone is one of the tarsal bones in humans and other animals located in the ankle region. It lies between the talus and cuneiform bones. Understanding the anatomy of the foot is vital for one to institute proper management of navicular disease in horses. This condition is caused by damage to the bone and its supportive structures. The effect of this is progressive lameness primarily in the forefeet.
The cause of this condition is not clear but there are a number of theories that exist. One of this theories purports that the disease is the result of repetitive movements of the bone and the surrounding structures. This is what is used to explain the high prevalence of the condition among horses that take part in competitive races. Diet and genetic disorders are the other major contributing factors.
Due to inflammation that occurs in the region, there is a reduction in blood flow and increased pressure in the hoof. There is intense pain in the heel that causes lameness to set in. Initially, the lameness is intermittent but tends to be constant as time progresses. In an attempt to transfer pressure to the anterior aspect of the hoof, horses take on a tip-toeing gait. They will be seen to stumble every now and them.
It has been shown through research that there are a number of conformational defects that contribute to the problem. Most of these defects are those that make the feet more prone to concussion. Narrow and upright feet, long toes, small feet and upright pasterns are some of the examples. All these conformations increase the pressure that is exerted on the navicular bone. Shock absorption happens only to a certain extent beyond which the rest is transmitted to tissues causing damage.
Working on hard and irregular ground is another predisposing factor. Such unfavorable terrain has been found to place great stress on the main tendons. The same may be seen in horses that spend most of their stand in the standing position. A lot of weight is transmitted through the feet hence the increased risk. The load is particularly high in horses that have a high weight to foot ratio.
Improper shoe selection is a well-known cause of lameness. The problem is commoner among domesticated than in wild horses. Some experts have, for this reason, proposed barefoot trimming. It is argued that bare feet allow for contraction and expansion during movement. This does not happen when metallic shoes are worn. Consequently, blood flow is better in bare feet.
There are very many causes of this problem and as such the treatments are not uniform. For instance, when the causative agent is a degenerative change, only supportive treatment is given. Reversal of the damage is virtually impossible. Proper trimming of feet helps to achieve biomechanical and neurological balance. Exercise should be reduced as much as possible.
Drugs also have a role to play. Drugs known as vasodilators help to maintain the patency of blood vessels and maintain blood flow to the affected regions. Other groups of drugs that have been shown to have beneficial effects include gallium nitrate, bisphosphonates, corticosteroids and NSAIDS. Surgery is performed when all the other conservative measures have proved futile.
The cause of this condition is not clear but there are a number of theories that exist. One of this theories purports that the disease is the result of repetitive movements of the bone and the surrounding structures. This is what is used to explain the high prevalence of the condition among horses that take part in competitive races. Diet and genetic disorders are the other major contributing factors.
Due to inflammation that occurs in the region, there is a reduction in blood flow and increased pressure in the hoof. There is intense pain in the heel that causes lameness to set in. Initially, the lameness is intermittent but tends to be constant as time progresses. In an attempt to transfer pressure to the anterior aspect of the hoof, horses take on a tip-toeing gait. They will be seen to stumble every now and them.
It has been shown through research that there are a number of conformational defects that contribute to the problem. Most of these defects are those that make the feet more prone to concussion. Narrow and upright feet, long toes, small feet and upright pasterns are some of the examples. All these conformations increase the pressure that is exerted on the navicular bone. Shock absorption happens only to a certain extent beyond which the rest is transmitted to tissues causing damage.
Working on hard and irregular ground is another predisposing factor. Such unfavorable terrain has been found to place great stress on the main tendons. The same may be seen in horses that spend most of their stand in the standing position. A lot of weight is transmitted through the feet hence the increased risk. The load is particularly high in horses that have a high weight to foot ratio.
Improper shoe selection is a well-known cause of lameness. The problem is commoner among domesticated than in wild horses. Some experts have, for this reason, proposed barefoot trimming. It is argued that bare feet allow for contraction and expansion during movement. This does not happen when metallic shoes are worn. Consequently, blood flow is better in bare feet.
There are very many causes of this problem and as such the treatments are not uniform. For instance, when the causative agent is a degenerative change, only supportive treatment is given. Reversal of the damage is virtually impossible. Proper trimming of feet helps to achieve biomechanical and neurological balance. Exercise should be reduced as much as possible.
Drugs also have a role to play. Drugs known as vasodilators help to maintain the patency of blood vessels and maintain blood flow to the affected regions. Other groups of drugs that have been shown to have beneficial effects include gallium nitrate, bisphosphonates, corticosteroids and NSAIDS. Surgery is performed when all the other conservative measures have proved futile.
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