Among the most commonly occurring horse conditions is navicular syndrome. This condition is a major cause of seasonal forelimb lameness in equines, especially horses. The syndrome is a degenerative condition of structures found in the heel of horses. Other names used to refer to it include caudal heel pain syndrome and navicular disease. It causes swelling or degeneration of navicular bones and the structures around it. Here are facts regarding Navicular disease treatment.
This condition is only limited to the feet of the animal. Some of the structures that it affects include distal limpar ligament, deep digital flexor tendon, and navicular bursa. Deep digital flexor tendos runs down the leg to wrap around the navicular bone. This bone is usually placed at the back of the heel. Changes in the bursa and the navicula bone often cause pain in the ligaments and tendons in this area.
Characteristics of the disease are many. The major symptom is chronic intermittent lameness of the forelimbs. Only one of the limbs is typically affected by the lameness in most cases. The affected foot is normally pointed as the animal is at rest as the other major sign. The disorder might, nonetheless, have impact on both legs as well. One more symptom is the occurrence of hoof abnormalities in the foot that is affected.
In addition, other symptoms include underrun heels, medial lateral foot imbalance, one foot shrinking in size than the other, and broken hoof pastern axis. These symptoms may be difficult to recognize when the disorder is starting, but they become easier to recognize as the disorder worsens. A huge deal of damage is usually already done to the horse when the signs get visible.
To diagnose this condition, a series of investigations have to be performed. These investigations include clinical examination, historical assessment, x-rays, and response to blocks in nerves. During a full clinical examination, the horse is examined while standing outside and inside the stable. The feet of the animal is observed when it is standing and bearing no weight. The animal is made to trot and walk on a straight course for observation.
The limb that is viewed most lame has palmer digital nerve block performed on. The small dose of local anesthesia is administered in order to localize the pain. The animal is given between 5 to 10 minutes prior to reevaluating it after the anesthetic has been administered.
An x-ray image of the feet of the equine is taken after the palmar digital nerve block has been performed. The images taken focus on all angles of the feet. For instance, x-ray images are taken from the side, back, and front side. The bones, tendons, and muscles in this region are given special focus in the images. Better technology has allowed for 3D images to be produced.
X-rays are useful, but they do not provide the level of detain that is often required in some cases. For instance, x-ray images may not be able to identify subtle bony changes or concurrent soft tissue injuries. In such cases, MRI scans are usually used in addition to x-ray images being taken. These days MRI scans are the standard diagnostic imaging procedure.
This condition is only limited to the feet of the animal. Some of the structures that it affects include distal limpar ligament, deep digital flexor tendon, and navicular bursa. Deep digital flexor tendos runs down the leg to wrap around the navicular bone. This bone is usually placed at the back of the heel. Changes in the bursa and the navicula bone often cause pain in the ligaments and tendons in this area.
Characteristics of the disease are many. The major symptom is chronic intermittent lameness of the forelimbs. Only one of the limbs is typically affected by the lameness in most cases. The affected foot is normally pointed as the animal is at rest as the other major sign. The disorder might, nonetheless, have impact on both legs as well. One more symptom is the occurrence of hoof abnormalities in the foot that is affected.
In addition, other symptoms include underrun heels, medial lateral foot imbalance, one foot shrinking in size than the other, and broken hoof pastern axis. These symptoms may be difficult to recognize when the disorder is starting, but they become easier to recognize as the disorder worsens. A huge deal of damage is usually already done to the horse when the signs get visible.
To diagnose this condition, a series of investigations have to be performed. These investigations include clinical examination, historical assessment, x-rays, and response to blocks in nerves. During a full clinical examination, the horse is examined while standing outside and inside the stable. The feet of the animal is observed when it is standing and bearing no weight. The animal is made to trot and walk on a straight course for observation.
The limb that is viewed most lame has palmer digital nerve block performed on. The small dose of local anesthesia is administered in order to localize the pain. The animal is given between 5 to 10 minutes prior to reevaluating it after the anesthetic has been administered.
An x-ray image of the feet of the equine is taken after the palmar digital nerve block has been performed. The images taken focus on all angles of the feet. For instance, x-ray images are taken from the side, back, and front side. The bones, tendons, and muscles in this region are given special focus in the images. Better technology has allowed for 3D images to be produced.
X-rays are useful, but they do not provide the level of detain that is often required in some cases. For instance, x-ray images may not be able to identify subtle bony changes or concurrent soft tissue injuries. In such cases, MRI scans are usually used in addition to x-ray images being taken. These days MRI scans are the standard diagnostic imaging procedure.
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