equis - Articles
Navicular bone: fracture
Introduction
- Cause: trauma, secondary to navicular disease ( → demineralization) Navicular bone: syndrome . Rare.
- Signs: lameness Musculoskeletal: gait evaluation .
- Diagnosis: foot examination Foot / shoe: examination , nerve block Forelimb: perineural analgesia , radiography Forelimb: radiography Hindlimb: radiography .
- Treatment: non-surgical - corrective shoeing and rest ; surgery, palmar digital neurectomy Palmar digital nerve: neurectomy , or lag screw fixation.
- Prognosis: poor.
Presenting signs
- Acute onset forelimb lameness or deterioration in a horse with navicular disease.
- May be seen in horses that have had palmar digital neurectomy Palmar digital nerve: neurectomy .
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Trauma - sagittal fractures.
- Navicular disease Navicular bone: syndrome .
Predisposing factors
General- Navicular disease.
Pathophysiology
- Primary trauma.
- Secondary to navicular disease where the bone is demineralized; abnormal soft tissue attachments disrupt function → stress risers in the bone.
- Fracture leads to inflammation, pain, swelling and heat in the area.
- As a sesamoid bone, the navicular is subject to constant movement by the deep digital flexor tendon → lack of stability → no spontaneous healing.
Timecourse
- Chronic lameness is to be expected following fracture.
Diagnosis
Subscribe To View
This article is available to subscribers.
Try a free trial today or contact us for more information.
Treatment
Subscribe To View
This article is available to subscribers.
Try a free trial today or contact us for more information.
Prevention
Subscribe To View
This article is available to subscribers.
Try a free trial today or contact us for more information.
Outcomes
Subscribe To View
This article is available to subscribers.
Try a free trial today or contact us for more information.
Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Claerhoudt S (2013) Distal navicular border fragments: Clinically significant or not, that is the question. Equine Vet Educ 25 (7), 352 VetMedResource.
- Colles C M (2011) Navicular bone fractures in the horse. Equine Vet Educ 23 (5), 255-261 VetMedResource.
- Lillich J D et al (1995) Fracture of the distal sesamoid bone in horses - 17 cases (1982-1992). JAVMA 207, 924-927 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Honnas C M (1999) The Foot. In: Equine Surgery.Eds: J A Auer & J A Stick. W B Saunders Co, USA. pp 789-790.