Navicular bursa: puncture in Horses (Equis) | Vetlexicon
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Navicular bursa: puncture

ISSN 2398-2977


Synonym(s): Septic bursitis

Introduction

  • Cause: traumatic penetration of navicular bursa usually via a solar penetration    →   infection within bursa   →   direct damage to navicular bone, deep digital flexor tendon.
  • Signs: severe lameness   Musculoskeletal: gait evaluation  , puncture wound evident on frog or sole, draining wound above the heel.
  • Diagnosis: foot paring   Foot / shoe: examination  , plain and positive contrast radiography   Forelimb: radiography  , centesis of the navicular bursa with cytology and culture/sensitivity of samples, intrasynovial anesthesia   Forelimb: joint anesthesia  of the navicular and/or distal interphalangeal joint may result in gait improvement, post mortem   Navicular bursa: puncture 01 - pathology  .
  • Differential:
  • Treatment: surgical drainage and removal of infected and necrotic debris.
  • Prognosis: depends on extent of infection and duration before effective treatment:
    • Fair if confined to bursa.
    • Guarded if navicular bone and deep digital flexor tendon involved.
Print off the Owner factsheets on Caring for your horse's feet, Navicular bursitisNavicular disease and Penetrating foot injuries to give to your clients.

Presenting signs

  • Single limb lameness.

Acute presentation

  • Severe unilateral lameness in fore or hindlimb associated with penetration of sole of foot by sharp object usually in the middle third of the frog region.

Cost considerations

  • Considerable costs involved in treatment, including one or more surgeries, long-term antibiotic treatment and loss of use of horse.

Special risks

  • General risks of anesthesia.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

  • Trauma: penetrating injury to the sole of the foot in an area centered on the middle third of the frog.
  • Less commonly, hoof lacerations or avulsions may penetrate deep enough to involve the bursa.

Predisposing factors

General
  • Poor foot care.
  • Wet, muddy conditions.

Specific

  • Presence of sharp, hard foreign bodies, such as nails, in environment of horse.

Pathophysiology

  • Penetrating injury to the sole   →   puncture wound to the navicular bursa   →   introduction of bacteria and foreign bodies   →   damage to palmar/plantar fibrocartilage of the navicular bone +/- puncture of the deep digital flexor tendon   →   septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint +/- septic tenosynovitis Joint: septic arthritis - adult may occur at the time of penetration or, more rarely, by subsequent spread.
  • The frog tissue being elastic in nature, usually seals over the puncture wound, preventing natural drainage and   →    infection build-up.

Timecourse

  • Inflammation and pain within 24 h of injury.

Diagnosis

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Treatment

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Prevention

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Outcomes

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Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
  • Garcia E B et al (2014) Navicular bone osteomyelitis and navicular bursitis with associated fistula diagnosed with magnetic resonance fistulography in the horse. Equine Vet Educ 26 (1), 10-14 VetMedResource.
  • Smith M R W (2013) Penetrating injuries of the foot. Equine Vet Educ 25 (9), 422-431 VetMedResource.
  • Wright I M, Phillips T J and Walmsley J P (1999) Endoscopy of the navicular bursa. A new technique for the treatment of contaminated and septic burse. Equine Vet J 31 (1), 5-11 (detailed description of arthroscopic technique and outcomes in 16 cases) PubMed.
  • Honnas C M et al (1995) Use of autogenous cancellous bone grafting in the treatment of septic navicular bursitis and distal sesamoid osteomyelitis in horses. JAVMA 206 (8), 1191-1194 PubMed.
  • Whitehair K J et al (1992) Regional limb perfusion for antibiotic treatment of experimentally induced septic arthritis. Vet Surg 21 (5), 367-373 PubMed.
  • Whitehair K J et al (1992) Regional limb perfusion with antibiotics in three horses. Vet Surg 21 (4), 286-292 PubMed.
  • Markel M D et al (1985) Use of cancellous bone graft in treatment of navicular osteomyelitis in a foal. JAVMA 187, 278-280 PubMed.