The navicular bone and surrounding tissues sometimes get problems. This is the bone that is in the front part of the foot. It is located behind the coffin bone and next to small pastern bone. A strong bundle of tendons run across the part to the back part of the coffin bone. They also pass through the soft tissue. Some cartilage is found between these two bones. Moreover, there is a fluid sack just over the navicular bone to prevent it from getting abraded. The syndrome causes inflammation around this area and sometimes causing the bone to degenerate and causing disabling lameness to the horse. Therefore, there is much need to ensure navicular disease in horses is handled in the early stages.
There is no known single cause of this syndrome. However, there are two theories put forward to explain what could be the cause. First, it is believed that compressing of navicular under the tendons and the small pastern bones, as explained above, can cause degeneration of cartilage. This causes the cartilage to flatten and results to it becoming less springy and is unable to absorb bigger shock.Researchers have also found gradual cartilage erosion and degeneration along the surface next to this bone where there was suspected compression. This is associated with biochemical changes and has similarity to human osteoarthritis. This erosion may progress to a point that the underneath bone becomes exposed and thus not protected.
What follows is constant rubbing of the tendon against this bone surface causing inflammation. In addition, Compression causes an increase in bone density under the cartilage especially near the tendons. Increase in bone density makes the bone brittle and may actually lead to a breakage.
Research has also indicated that tension on the ligaments that support the bone could lead to degeneration. Excess tension causes strain and inflammation that decreases blood flow to and fro the navicular bone. Most of these blood vessels run along this region. Persistent tension causes the ligament to permanently thicken and reduce blood flow.
If blood is restricted from one side, there is a buildup of fluid in this bone. The bone responds to this reduced flow by absorbing mineral that is found at the center of the bone. Extreme tension causes exostoses. This is a case where ligaments get attached to the particular bone and compress it to a canoe shape. The ligaments may also tear in the process.
The veterinary doctor recommends treatment dependent on the extent of this syndrome. The medication can range from conservative methods to more aggressive ones. Such interventions include shoeing for therapeutic purposes, oral and intravenous medication and surgery. Since the response to treatment is not always guaranteed, it is advisable to start with conservative methods before trying more aggressive ones.
When using shoe treatment, the vet places a bar across the horse heel to relieve pressure that build up on heels. The hoof wall quarters may be rasped or grooves cut to relieve contraction. The feet could also be trimmed to balance the foot. Most horses with the problem have long toes and small inner wall depth. Trimming also improves the hoof structure of the horse.
The use of medication involves injection with vasodilators to improve blood flow. There are also anti-inflammatory drugs to treat pain. There are also oral medications aimed at relieving the problem. Surgery involves severing the nerves that could be causing the pain but causes the horse to lose sensation in the back of a foot.
There is no known single cause of this syndrome. However, there are two theories put forward to explain what could be the cause. First, it is believed that compressing of navicular under the tendons and the small pastern bones, as explained above, can cause degeneration of cartilage. This causes the cartilage to flatten and results to it becoming less springy and is unable to absorb bigger shock.Researchers have also found gradual cartilage erosion and degeneration along the surface next to this bone where there was suspected compression. This is associated with biochemical changes and has similarity to human osteoarthritis. This erosion may progress to a point that the underneath bone becomes exposed and thus not protected.
What follows is constant rubbing of the tendon against this bone surface causing inflammation. In addition, Compression causes an increase in bone density under the cartilage especially near the tendons. Increase in bone density makes the bone brittle and may actually lead to a breakage.
Research has also indicated that tension on the ligaments that support the bone could lead to degeneration. Excess tension causes strain and inflammation that decreases blood flow to and fro the navicular bone. Most of these blood vessels run along this region. Persistent tension causes the ligament to permanently thicken and reduce blood flow.
If blood is restricted from one side, there is a buildup of fluid in this bone. The bone responds to this reduced flow by absorbing mineral that is found at the center of the bone. Extreme tension causes exostoses. This is a case where ligaments get attached to the particular bone and compress it to a canoe shape. The ligaments may also tear in the process.
The veterinary doctor recommends treatment dependent on the extent of this syndrome. The medication can range from conservative methods to more aggressive ones. Such interventions include shoeing for therapeutic purposes, oral and intravenous medication and surgery. Since the response to treatment is not always guaranteed, it is advisable to start with conservative methods before trying more aggressive ones.
When using shoe treatment, the vet places a bar across the horse heel to relieve pressure that build up on heels. The hoof wall quarters may be rasped or grooves cut to relieve contraction. The feet could also be trimmed to balance the foot. Most horses with the problem have long toes and small inner wall depth. Trimming also improves the hoof structure of the horse.
The use of medication involves injection with vasodilators to improve blood flow. There are also anti-inflammatory drugs to treat pain. There are also oral medications aimed at relieving the problem. Surgery involves severing the nerves that could be causing the pain but causes the horse to lose sensation in the back of a foot.
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