Useful Information Regarding Navicular Disease Treatment

By Michael Cooper


Among the most commonly occurring horse conditions is navicular syndrome. This condition is a major cause of seasonal forelimb lameness in equines, especially horses. The syndrome is a degenerative condition of structures found in the heel of horses. Other names used to refer to it include caudal heel pain syndrome and navicular disease. It causes swelling or degeneration of navicular bones and the structures around it. Here are facts regarding Navicular disease treatment.

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.

Characteristics of the disease are many. The major symptom is chronic intermittent lameness of the forelimbs. Only one of the limbs is typically affected by the lameness in most cases. The affected foot is normally pointed as the animal is at rest as the other major sign. The disorder might, nonetheless, have impact on both legs as well. One more symptom is the occurrence of hoof abnormalities in the foot that is affected.

In addition, other symptoms include underrun heels, medial lateral foot imbalance, one foot shrinking in size than the other, and broken hoof pastern axis. These symptoms may be difficult to recognize when the disorder is starting, but they become easier to recognize as the disorder worsens. A huge deal of damage is usually already done to the horse when the signs get visible.

To diagnose this condition, a series of investigations have to be performed. These investigations include clinical examination, historical assessment, x-rays, and response to blocks in nerves. During a full clinical examination, the horse is examined while standing outside and inside the stable. The feet of the animal is observed when it is standing and bearing no weight. The animal is made to trot and walk on a straight course for observation.

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.

An x-ray image of the feet of the equine is taken after the palmar digital nerve block has been performed. The images taken focus on all angles of the feet. For instance, x-ray images are taken from the side, back, and front side. The bones, tendons, and muscles in this region are given special focus in the images. Better technology has allowed for 3D images to be produced.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment