An in vitro study to compare 5 different techniques for injection of the navicular bursa in the horse.
Abstract: Numerous different techniques for injection of the navicular bursa have been described but there is little conformity between these descriptions. A literature review was performed and techniques for injection of the navicular bursa were categorised into 5 approaches. This study was performed to evaluate the reproducibility of each technique and to assess which technique was consistently most successful. Five inexperienced operators performed each technique on 5 cadaver forelimbs. Once a needle had been placed, a radiograph was taken to confirm placement was in accordance with the description of the technique. Contrast agent was then injected and another radiograph taken to determine whether the navicular bursa had been injected successfully. The position of the navicular bone was highly predictable as a point 1 cm distal to the coronary band and halfway between the most dorsal and most palmar aspect of the coronary band. The use of this point as a landmark for injection of the navicular bursa allowed a high degree of accuracy and reliability of needle placement, irrespective of foot conformation.
Publication Date: 2000-06-03 PubMed ID: 10836483DOI: 10.2746/042516400776563635Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research compared five different techniques for injecting a horse’s navicular bursa, finding that use of a particular landmark on the horse’s foot provides a reliable method for accurate needle placement regardless of foot conformation.
Overview of Research
The research focused on a comparative analysis of five commonly used approaches to injecting the navicular bursa, a fluid-filled sac serving as a cushion between bones and tendons in a horse’s foot. The study was undertaken in the absence of a standardized method for such an injection, with the aim of ascertaining consistency and reproducibility of each technique.
- Five inexperienced individuals were tasked with performing each technique on five separate cadaver forelimbs, to test the accessibility and ease of each method.
- Upon needle placement, a radiograph was taken to ensure that the positioning of the needle matched the guidelines detailed in each technique’s description.
- After confirming needle placement, a contrast agent was injected and a follow-up radiograph was undertaken to establish whether the injection had effectively reached the navicular bursa.
Findings of the Study
The study revealed that the most reliable technique for injecting the navicular bursa was keyed to a specific point on a horse’s foot, offering reliable accuracy regardless of varied foot conformations.
- It was found that the navicular bone of a horse’s foot was consistently located 1 cm distal to the coronary band (the junction at the top of the hoof where hair meets keratin) and halfway between the most forward and rearward aspects of said band.
- The study surmised that using this landmark as a guide for needle insertion resulted in accurate and reproducible results, regardless of individual differences in foot conformation between horses.
This research contributes to the field by simplifying and standardizing the technique for navicular bursa injections in horses, thereby potentially improving the welfare of horses undergoing this procedure and enhancing the success rate of such injections.
Cite This Article
APA
Schramme MC, Boswell JC, Hamhougias K, Toulson K, Viitanen M.
(2000).
An in vitro study to compare 5 different techniques for injection of the navicular bursa in the horse.
Equine Vet J, 32(3), 263-267.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516400776563635 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Farm Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bursa, Synovial / anatomy & histology
- Bursa, Synovial / diagnostic imaging
- Cadaver
- Carpus, Animal / anatomy & histology
- Carpus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
- Contrast Media
- Forelimb / anatomy & histology
- Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Injections / methods
- Injections / veterinary
- Lameness, Animal / drug therapy
- Radiography
- Random Allocation
- Reproducibility of Results
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Larsen EA, Williams MR, Schoonover MJ, Jurek KA, Young JM, Duddy HR. Navicular bone fracture and severe deep digital flexor tendinopathy after palmar digital neurectomy in two horses. Open Vet J 2023 Dec;13(12):1752-1759.
- Froydenlund TJ, Meehan LJ, Morrison LR, Labens R. A Rare Case of Deep Digital Flexor Tendinopathy following Centesis of the Navicular Bursa. Front Vet Sci 2017;4:169.
- Kane-Smyth J, Taylor SE, García EC, Reardon RJ. Frequency of Penetration of the Digital Flexor Tendon Sheath and Distal Interphalangeal Joint Using a Direct Endoscopic Approach to the Navicular Bursa in Horses. Vet Surg 2016 Apr;45(3):380-5.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
