![]() Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be recommended. Injections: Corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, or products such as PRP, IRAP, or Pro-stride injections can be given directly into the affected area to reduce inflammation and pain and try to promote the health of the navicular bursa. Your veterinarian may recommend other joint medications or supplements. A medication such as Osphos can be given intramuscularly every 6–18 months to help aid in the creation and breakdown of bone in the foot. Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone or Equioxx may be used to aid with inflammation and pain in the short term. The farrier may use special shoes that help to reduce pressure on the navicular bone and DDFT and improve the horse's overall foot balance. Shoeing: Proper shoeing is essential for treating navicular syndrome. While there is no treatment for this degenerative process, there are a combination of approaches that can aid in comfort and soundness, such as: Treatment for navicular syndrome aims to reduce pain and inflammation and improve the horse's overall foot health. Treatment of Navicular Syndrome in Horses Imaging tests like these will help the veterinarian determine the best treatment route once the level of damage can be assessed. ![]() To determine the extent of involvement of the navicular bone, bursa, DDFT, and other surrounding structures, imaging such as X-rays, ultrasound, and MRIs can be performed. This is because navicular typically affects both feet, one worse than the other. Often with navicular disease, once the area of concern is blocked, the lameness will “switch feet,” and you’ll see the horse begin having a slight limp in the other front limb. This procedure numbs that specific joint space or area. Once the area of concern has been localized, the veterinarian will perform a nerve block. A flexion test puts stress on certain joints-if the horse continues to move soundly, the stressed area is not likely to be involved in the lameness. They will likely check the foot for pain using hoof testers and localize the lameness using flexion testing. They will perform a lameness exam, evaluating your horse trotting in straight lines and circles. How Veterinarians Diagnose Navicular Syndrome in Horsesĭiagnosis of navicular syndrome begins with a thorough physical exam by your veterinarian. Poor conformation, excessive weight bearing on the front limbs, and poor shoeing practices may also contribute. Environmental factors may include poor hoof care or nutrition, and inadequate exercise. The exact cause of navicular syndrome is not yet fully understood, but it is thought to be a result of a combination of genetic, environmental, and biomechanical factors. Lameness worsens if hoof grows long, or if heels become underrun Heel pain, or pain on flexion of the fetlock Reluctance to work, or slower than normal While both front feet are usually affected, one foot is typically worse than the other. ![]() Symptoms of navicular syndrome often start as a minor front end lameness. While there is no “cure,” with proper veterinary and hoof care, the athletic career and comfort of your horse can be prolonged. Symptoms typically begin showing in middle-aged horses, and it progresses through the life of the horse. Navicular disease is a common cause of chronic front-end lameness that occurs in many athletes, particularly in the Quarter Horse breed. ![]() This can lead to inflammation in the navicular bursa, and depending on the bony changes that occur, roughening and stress on the DDFT. When this happens, it’s known as navicular syndrome. In some horses, the navicular bone degenerates over time. The DDFT is a long tendon that connects to the muscle above the knee, runs along the back of the fetlock and over the navicular bone, and then inserts into the coffin bone. A small bursa, or pouch of synovial liquid, is located between the navicular bone and the DDFT (deep digital flexor tendon). The navicular bone in horses is a small, flat bone that sits behind the short pastern and coffin bones in the hoof. Navicular syndrome refers to a dysfunction or disease of structures involved in providing stability and support to the fetlock and foot, including the navicular bone, navicular bursa, and the DDFT.
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