Navicular disease affects a lot of animals and even human beings. It is caused by inflammation or degeneration of bones or the tissues surrounding the area. Navicular disease in horses can be mild only requiring the animal to take some time off from duty to heal or it can be a major cause for disabling lameness. This article discusses, causes, symptoms, and treatments for the condition.
First, it should be understood that there is no single cause for the condition. There are many causes and some appear singly or in combination. There are also several factors that contribute to or accelerate the occurrence of the disease. Although there are many causes, the major ones are compression of navicular bone and landing with the toes first.
Compression is felt under DDF tendons and behind small pastern bones. Cartilage degeneration occurs due to continued compression. Degenerated cartilage cannot absorb shock from movement because they become flat and less springy. Erosion of cartilage may occur in some cases. Erosion causes exposure of underneath bones after some time causing infection from pathogens or development of other more severe conditions.
Landing with the toes first has also been found to be a cause for navicular condition according to recent research. Toe-first landing results from misaligned lower joints. This places a lot of strain on deep digital flexor tendons. This kind of landing can be a cause as well as a contributing factor for bone modifications or inflammation in the surrounding tendons. Toe-first landing results from many other causes like poor shoeing, long toes, and over-trimming. The occurrence of this condition is contributed by shoeing, conformation, work, and body weight.
The ways through which navicular disease manifests are many. The commonest sign however, is painful heels. Heels feel pain because of inflammed ligaments, eroded cartilage, damaged navicular bursa, reduced blood flow, or damaged DDF tendon. Horses with pain the heels display a change in gait. Normally both front feet get affected, although the degree differs between the two feet with one being worse than the other.
Lameness sometimes switches between the front feet and usually progresses to severe levels after being mild and intermittent for a while. The level of lameness is determined based on a scale of 1-5. Lameness between 1-2 is considered mild that beyond that level is said to be severe. Working suffering animals on hard surfaces worsens the problems hence, should be avoided. There is change in shape of feet if the signs are not treated. The affected foot develops an upright posture and becomes narrower.
The treatment option used depends on the level of the problem. If the condition is left to continue for long, it causes permanent changes that cannot be reversed. Therefore treatment should be sort on occurrence of first signs. Exercise, surgery, and medication are some of the treatments available currently.
Exercise involves less intensive work schedule for a given period as progress of the disease is observed. Medications include administration of vasodilators, anticoagulants, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Vasodilators cause dilation in blood vessels in feet hence improving blood flow. Surgery is normally a last resort and is only recommended in extreme conditions.
First, it should be understood that there is no single cause for the condition. There are many causes and some appear singly or in combination. There are also several factors that contribute to or accelerate the occurrence of the disease. Although there are many causes, the major ones are compression of navicular bone and landing with the toes first.
Compression is felt under DDF tendons and behind small pastern bones. Cartilage degeneration occurs due to continued compression. Degenerated cartilage cannot absorb shock from movement because they become flat and less springy. Erosion of cartilage may occur in some cases. Erosion causes exposure of underneath bones after some time causing infection from pathogens or development of other more severe conditions.
Landing with the toes first has also been found to be a cause for navicular condition according to recent research. Toe-first landing results from misaligned lower joints. This places a lot of strain on deep digital flexor tendons. This kind of landing can be a cause as well as a contributing factor for bone modifications or inflammation in the surrounding tendons. Toe-first landing results from many other causes like poor shoeing, long toes, and over-trimming. The occurrence of this condition is contributed by shoeing, conformation, work, and body weight.
The ways through which navicular disease manifests are many. The commonest sign however, is painful heels. Heels feel pain because of inflammed ligaments, eroded cartilage, damaged navicular bursa, reduced blood flow, or damaged DDF tendon. Horses with pain the heels display a change in gait. Normally both front feet get affected, although the degree differs between the two feet with one being worse than the other.
Lameness sometimes switches between the front feet and usually progresses to severe levels after being mild and intermittent for a while. The level of lameness is determined based on a scale of 1-5. Lameness between 1-2 is considered mild that beyond that level is said to be severe. Working suffering animals on hard surfaces worsens the problems hence, should be avoided. There is change in shape of feet if the signs are not treated. The affected foot develops an upright posture and becomes narrower.
The treatment option used depends on the level of the problem. If the condition is left to continue for long, it causes permanent changes that cannot be reversed. Therefore treatment should be sort on occurrence of first signs. Exercise, surgery, and medication are some of the treatments available currently.
Exercise involves less intensive work schedule for a given period as progress of the disease is observed. Medications include administration of vasodilators, anticoagulants, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Vasodilators cause dilation in blood vessels in feet hence improving blood flow. Surgery is normally a last resort and is only recommended in extreme conditions.
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