Navicular Syndrome in Horses

NAVICULAR Third Metacarpal SYNDROME Proximal Sesamoids Proximal Phalanx Navicular Bone Middle Phalanx Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT) Common (Dorsal) Digital Extensor Tendon Coffin Suspensory Ligament (Pedal) Bone Deep Digital Flexor Tendon (DDFT) Accessory (Check) Ligament of the DDFT Navicular syndrome is a chronic and often progressive hoof condition which af- fects the horse's navicular bone, navicular bursa , deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), and soft tissue structures making up the navicular apparatus. The syn- drome is one of the most common causes of forelimb lameness in horses, ac- counting for one-third of all chronic lameness cases in one study. SYMPTOMS History of forelimb lameness of incidious Short, choppy stride; stumbles often Continuously shifting weight Pain response to pressure hoof testers applied over frog Small, narrow hoof with high heels onset DIAGNOSIS History Clinical signs Lameness examination Radiography Ultrasonography Nuclear scintigraphy Thermography Computed tomography MRI Navicular bursography TREATMENTS Controlled Rest Acupuncture exercise Corrective Oral Joint injections shoeing supplements Oral isoxsuprine hydrochloride Extracorporeal shock wave Palmar digital neurectomy therapy (ESWT) Most Promising Occasionally effective Only consider if other treatments ineffective Sources 1. Marsh CA, Schneider RK, Sampson SN, Roberts GD. Response to injection of the navicular bursa with corticosteroid and hyaluronan following high-field magnetic resonance imaging in horses with signs of navicular syndrome: 101 cases (2000-2008). Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association. November 2012 2. R Waguespack, R. Hanson. Navicular Syndrome in Equine Patients: Anatomy, Causes, and Diagnosis*. Auburn University. December 2010 3. Navicular Syndrome in Horses. University of Missouri Extension. June 2000. http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G2743 Horse DVM.com