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BMC veterinary research2016; 12; 74; doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0698-4

Clinicopathological findings in horses with a bi- or tripartite navicular bone.

Abstract: Navicular bone partition is a rare condition reported in horses, which is during the evaluation of a lameness or prepurchase examination often misinterpreted for a parasagittal fracture. In this report, the clinicopathological findings of three cases of navicular bone partition are evaluated. The possible pathomechanisms underlying the condition are hypothesised, focusing on a potential origin of foetal vascular disturbance. This study is furthermore aiming at a clearer and earlier recognition of navicular bone partition, since this condition would finally predispose for a clinical lameness with a poor prognosis. Methods: Case 1 was a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding with a Grade 3/5 chronic, recurrent left-forelimb lameness that had persisted for 4 months. Perineural palmar digital nerve block of the distal foot abolished the lameness. Radiographic examination revealed a bipartite navicular bone in the left forelimb. Unfortunately, the animal was lost to follow-up. Case 2 was a 7-year-old Quarter Horse stallion with a Grade 3/5 recurrent right forelimb lameness that had persisted for 2 years. The lameness switched to the contralateral left forelimb with a palmar digital nerve block. Radiographic examination identified a tripartite navicular bone in both forelimbs. Pathological examination additionally revealed chronic degenerative changes of the cartilage and subchondral bone with marked cystic changes. Case 3 was a 5-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding with a Grade 3/5 recurrent left hindlimb lameness that had persisted for 6 months. Owing to the uncooperative behaviour of the horse, only a combined peroneal and tibial nerve block could be performed, which abolished the lameness. Radiographic examination revealed a bipartite navicular bone in the left hindlimb. Pathological examination showed a navicular bipartition in the left hindlimb, with microscopic changes comparable to those evident in Case 2; additionally, cartilage indentations were also found in the navicular bones of the right front- and hindlimb at a similar location as the partition site in the left hindlimb. Conclusions: It is speculated that a navicular bone partition has a congenital origin and is caused by vascular disturbance during foetal development. This may lead to aberrant endochondral ossification or the formation of multiple ossification centres resulting in navicular bone partitioning. In the adult horse, chronic repetitive biomechanical challenges at the partition sites may induce local degenerative changes with subchondral cyst formation and thus would cause a gradually developing chronic lameness with a poor prognosis.
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Publication Date: 2016-04-09 PubMed ID: 27061802PubMed Central: PMC4826531DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0698-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study investigates a rare condition in horses called navicular bone partition which can be misinterpreted as a parasagittal fracture, often identified during a lameness or prepurchase examination. An analysis of three cases attempts to identify potential causes for this condition, focusing on a hypothesis that foetal vascular disturbance might be involved. The paper aims to enable clearer, earlier recognition of navicular bone partition, which could predispose horses to lameness with a poor prognosis.

Case Studies

  • The first case involved a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding that was suffering from chronic, recurrent lameness in the left forelimb. During the examination, a bipartite (two-part) navicular bone was discovered in the horse’s affected limb. Because of circumstances, the horse’s condition couldn’t be tracked afterwards.
  • The second case concerned a 7-year-old Quarter Horse stallion with right forelimb lameness that had persisted for two years. However, after the application of a palmar digital nerve block, the lameness transferred to the left forelimb. Both forelimbs were found to have a tripartite (three-part) navicular bone. A pathological examination highlighted chronic degenerative changes in both the cartilage and subchondral (below the cartilage) bone, along with significant cystic changes.
  • The final case was a 5-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding that displayed recurrent lameness in the left hindlimb over a six-month period. The horse’s uncooperative behaviour allowed only a combined peroneal and tibial nerve block to be performed, which alleviated the lameness. The radiographic examination revealed a bipartite navicular bone in the left hindlimb. Pathological examination found similar microscopic changes as were seen in Case 2, as well as the discovery of cartilage indentations in the horse’s right fore- and hindlimb navicular bones at a location similar to the partition site in the left hindlimb.

Conclusions

  • The research concluded that navicular bone partition likely has a congenital origin and may be precipitated by vascular disturbances during foetal development. These developmental issues may lead to abnormal endochondral ossification, or the formation of multiple ossification centres, culminating in navicular bone partitioning.
  • In adult horses, it’s thought that chronic repetitive biomechanical strain at the partition sites may prompt local degenerative changes along with subchondral cyst formation. This would cause a gradual development of chronic lameness, which typically has a poor prognosis.

Cite This Article

APA
van der Zaag EJ, Weerts EA, van den Belt AJ, Back W. (2016). Clinicopathological findings in horses with a bi- or tripartite navicular bone. BMC Vet Res, 12, 74. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-016-0698-4

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 12
Pages: 74

Researcher Affiliations

van der Zaag, Ellen J
  • Veterinary Clinic De Delta, Foppenpolder 1, NL-3155 EA, Maasland, The Netherlands.
Weerts, Erik A W S
  • Department of Pathobiology, Division Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, NL-3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van den Belt, Antoon J M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, NL-3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Back, Willem
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112-114, NL-3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands. W.Back@uu.nl.
  • Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium. W.Back@uu.nl.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Diseases / pathology
  • Bone Diseases / veterinary
  • Forelimb / pathology
  • Hindlimb / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnostic imaging
  • Lameness, Animal / pathology
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Tarsal Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Tarsal Bones / pathology

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Giessen EJM, Stas EKL, Grinwis GCM, Veraa S. Imaging Findings of Congenital Distal Interphalangeal Joint Dysplasia in a 3-Month-Old Friesian Foal. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2025 Sep;66(5):e70076.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.70076pubmed: 40831150google scholar: lookup
  2. Ludwig EK, Hallowell K, Womble M, O'Neil E. Bilateral patellar aplasia in a foal. Vet Med Sci 2023 May;9(3):1143-1148.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.1083pubmed: 36734120google scholar: lookup
  3. Sun T, Zhao H, Wang L, Wu W, Hu W. Distribution patterns and coincidence of sesamoid bones at metatarsophalangeal joints. Surg Radiol Anat 2017 Apr;39(4):427-432.
    doi: 10.1007/s00276-016-1759-xpubmed: 27743001google scholar: lookup
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