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.
Study has also found increased cartilage erosion along services adjacent to navicular bone in horses where compression is suspected. This is usually caused by biochemical changes similar to a human condition called osteoarthritis. If the erosion progresses, the underneath bone is exposed is unearthed and thus not protected. The tendons tend to rub more viciously on the bone surface resulting to inflammation. Compression is also responsible for increase in density of this bone making it brittle and susceptible to breakage even in little shocks.
Tension on the ligaments in this area also causes the problem. It causes strain on ligaments pulling the bone together leading to degeneration. This also decreases the blood flow to and from the bone. This region is full of blood vessels. When they are pulled apart, the vessels permanently thicken and restrict blood flow.
If blood is restricted from one side of this bone, there is usually fluid buildup in this bone. The bone responds to pressure and reduced blood supply by absorbing mineral found at its center. Extreme tension also causes exostoses, a condition in which ligaments that are attached to the navicular bone force the bone to assume a canoe shape due to pressure. They may tear in some cases.
The treatment offered depends on the extent to which the particular bone is affected. Thus, medication can range from conservative to aggressive. They include therapeutic shoeing, surgery and various medications. The response to treatment is not guaranteed to be positive. Therefore, it is rather advisable to start with less aggressive methods.
Since response to any intervention is not guaranteed to be positive, most vets start with conservative methods and try aggressive ones when they do not work. A metallic bar is placed across the heel in shoe treatment. This is meant to relieve pressure and improve blood flow in the region.
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.
Study has also found increased cartilage erosion along services adjacent to navicular bone in horses where compression is suspected. This is usually caused by biochemical changes similar to a human condition called osteoarthritis. If the erosion progresses, the underneath bone is exposed is unearthed and thus not protected. The tendons tend to rub more viciously on the bone surface resulting to inflammation. Compression is also responsible for increase in density of this bone making it brittle and susceptible to breakage even in little shocks.
Tension on the ligaments in this area also causes the problem. It causes strain on ligaments pulling the bone together leading to degeneration. This also decreases the blood flow to and from the bone. This region is full of blood vessels. When they are pulled apart, the vessels permanently thicken and restrict blood flow.
If blood is restricted from one side of this bone, there is usually fluid buildup in this bone. The bone responds to pressure and reduced blood supply by absorbing mineral found at its center. Extreme tension also causes exostoses, a condition in which ligaments that are attached to the navicular bone force the bone to assume a canoe shape due to pressure. They may tear in some cases.
The treatment offered depends on the extent to which the particular bone is affected. Thus, medication can range from conservative to aggressive. They include therapeutic shoeing, surgery and various medications. The response to treatment is not guaranteed to be positive. Therefore, it is rather advisable to start with less aggressive methods.
Since response to any intervention is not guaranteed to be positive, most vets start with conservative methods and try aggressive ones when they do not work. A metallic bar is placed across the heel in shoe treatment. This is meant to relieve pressure and improve blood flow in the region.
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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