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.
The limbs of the horse is where this condition is limited to. Distal limpar ligament, navicular bursa, and deep digital flexor tendon are some of the structures it affects. The navicular bone is wrapped around by the deep digital tendon which runs down the leg. At the back of the heel is where the navicular bone is usually placed. Pains in the tendons and ligaments in this area are usually caused by changes in bursa and the navicula bone.
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.
Several investigative procedures need to be done to diagnose the condition. Clinical examination, x-rays historical assessment, and response to nerve blocks are some of these investigations. The examination of the horse is done while it is standing inside and outside the stable during a holistic clinical examination. Observation of the feet of the animal is also done when standing and when bearing no weight. Walking and trotting of the animal in a straight line is also observed.
Palmar digital nerve block is then done on the leg that is considered to be most lame. After that, the pain is localized through the injection of a small amount of local anesthetic. After the administration of the anesthetic, the animal is allowed between 5 to 10 minutes before it is reevaluated.
After the palmer digital nerve block is performed, x-ray images of the feet of the animal are captured. The focus of the images taken is all angles possible of the limbs. X-ray images are captured from the back, front, and side for instance. In the images, tendons, bones and muscles are offered special focus. 3D images have been produced due to better technology.
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.
The limbs of the horse is where this condition is limited to. Distal limpar ligament, navicular bursa, and deep digital flexor tendon are some of the structures it affects. The navicular bone is wrapped around by the deep digital tendon which runs down the leg. At the back of the heel is where the navicular bone is usually placed. Pains in the tendons and ligaments in this area are usually caused by changes in bursa and the navicula bone.
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.
Several investigative procedures need to be done to diagnose the condition. Clinical examination, x-rays historical assessment, and response to nerve blocks are some of these investigations. The examination of the horse is done while it is standing inside and outside the stable during a holistic clinical examination. Observation of the feet of the animal is also done when standing and when bearing no weight. Walking and trotting of the animal in a straight line is also observed.
Palmar digital nerve block is then done on the leg that is considered to be most lame. After that, the pain is localized through the injection of a small amount of local anesthetic. After the administration of the anesthetic, the animal is allowed between 5 to 10 minutes before it is reevaluated.
After the palmer digital nerve block is performed, x-ray images of the feet of the animal are captured. The focus of the images taken is all angles possible of the limbs. X-ray images are captured from the back, front, and side for instance. In the images, tendons, bones and muscles are offered special focus. 3D images have been produced due to better technology.
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.
About the Author:
You can get a summary of the things to keep in mind when picking a navicular disease treatment option at http://www.naviculardisease.com right now.