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.
Besides being many, signs for navicular disease manifest differently. Painful heels is however the commonest sign. Pain is cause by inflammation of ligaments, cartilage erosion, damage of DDF tendon, damage of navicular bursa, or reduced blood flow among others. A change in gait can be an indication of painful heels. Although all front feet are normally affected, one foot feels more pain than the other.
Lameness may switch feet from one to the other and normally starts mild or seasonal before progressing to disabling levels. A scale of 1-5 is used to measure lameness with 1-2 being mild and 3 and beyond being extreme. Animals with the condition should not be worked on hard surfaces because such surfaces worsen the problem. Feet change shape if the signs are left unattended to. The foot that is affected most becomes narrower and more upright.
Different cases can be treated with different treatment options depending on the level of the condition. Permanent changes caused due to prolonged symptoms are normally irreversible. That is why treatment is recommended at the first sign of disease. Major treatment options available now are exercise, medication, and surgery.
Exercise requires the horse to do less intensive work to given time for the foot to heal. Medications given include anti-inflammatory drugs, anticoagulants, and vasodilators. Vasodilators dilate veins causing improved blood flow. Surgery is only applicable in the worst of situations.
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.
Besides being many, signs for navicular disease manifest differently. Painful heels is however the commonest sign. Pain is cause by inflammation of ligaments, cartilage erosion, damage of DDF tendon, damage of navicular bursa, or reduced blood flow among others. A change in gait can be an indication of painful heels. Although all front feet are normally affected, one foot feels more pain than the other.
Lameness may switch feet from one to the other and normally starts mild or seasonal before progressing to disabling levels. A scale of 1-5 is used to measure lameness with 1-2 being mild and 3 and beyond being extreme. Animals with the condition should not be worked on hard surfaces because such surfaces worsen the problem. Feet change shape if the signs are left unattended to. The foot that is affected most becomes narrower and more upright.
Different cases can be treated with different treatment options depending on the level of the condition. Permanent changes caused due to prolonged symptoms are normally irreversible. That is why treatment is recommended at the first sign of disease. Major treatment options available now are exercise, medication, and surgery.
Exercise requires the horse to do less intensive work to given time for the foot to heal. Medications given include anti-inflammatory drugs, anticoagulants, and vasodilators. Vasodilators dilate veins causing improved blood flow. Surgery is only applicable in the worst of situations.
About the Author:
navicular disease in horses can be difficult to treat but many can return to their normal routines with treatment. To learn more about this disorder and its symptoms, review the posts here at http://www.naviculardisease.com.
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