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Distal border fragments and shape of the navicular bone: radiological evaluation in lame horses and horses free from lameness.
Abstract: The significance of distal border fragments of the navicular bone is not well understood. There are also no objective data about changes in thickness and proximal/distal extension of the palmar cortex of the navicular bone. Objective: To describe the distribution of distal border fragments and their association with other radiological abnormalities of the navicular bone and describe the shape of the navicular bone in sound horses and horses with foot-related lameness, including navicular pathology. Methods: Sound horses had radiographs acquired as part of a prepurchase examination. Lame horses had forelimb lameness abolished by palmar nerve blocks performed at the base of the proximal sesamoid bones. Diagnosis was assigned prospectively based on results of local analgesia and all imaging findings. The thickness of the palmar cortex of the navicular bone and size of proximal/distal extensions were measured objectively. Other radiological abnormalities were evaluated subjectively and each navicular bone graded. Results: Fifty-five sound and 377 lame horses were included. All measurements were larger in lame compared with sound horses except the size of the distal extension of the palmar cortex. Fragments were observed in 3.6 and 8.7% of sound and lame horses respectively and in 24.1% of horses with a diagnosis of primary navicular pathology. There was an association between fragments and overall navicular bone grade, radiolucent areas at the angles of the distal border of the navicular bone and number and size of the synovial invaginations. Conclusions: The palmar cortex of the navicular bone was thicker in lame compared with sound horses. Distal border fragments were most frequent in horses with navicular pathology. Evaluation of changes in shape of the navicular bone may also be important for recognition of pathological abnormalities of the bone.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-07-27 PubMed ID: 21793877DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00429.xGoogle 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.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This study aims to better understand the significance of distal border fragments of the navicular bone in horses and how these correspond with lameness or sound health. The researchers measured and noted the findings from radiographs of both sound and lame horses, seeking correlations between distinct abnormalities and the horse’s health status.
Research Methods
- Sound horses were given radiographs as part of a prepurchase examination
- Lame horses underwent a different procedure: after their forelimb lameness was eliminated through palmar nerve blocks (performed at the base of the proximal sesamoid bones), they were also given radiographs
- A diagnosis was determined based on local analgesia results and all imaging findings
- The researchers measured the thickness of the palmar cortex of the navicular bone and the size of the proximal/distal extensions objectively
- Other radiological abnormalities were evaluated subjectively and each navicular bone was graded
Research Findings
- The study included 55 sound horses and 377 lame horses
- All measurements were larger in lame horses compared to sound horses, except for the size of the distal extension of the palmar cortex
- Distal border fragments were observed in 3.6% of sound horses and 8.7% of lame horses, and in 24.1% of horses with a diagnosis of primary navicular pathology
- There was a correlation between the presence of distal border fragments and the overall navicular bone grade, radiolucent areas at the angles of the distal border of the navicular bone, and the number and size of the synovial invaginations
Conclusions
- The palmar cortex of the navicular bone was thicker in lame horses than in sound horses
- The highest frequency of distal border fragments was found in horses with navicular pathology
- An evaluation of changes in the shape of the navicular bone may be significant in identifying pathological abnormalities of the bone, thus providing an additional aid in assessing the health of horses
Cite This Article
APA
Biggi M, Dyson S.
(2011).
Distal border fragments and shape of the navicular bone: radiological evaluation in lame horses and horses free from lameness.
Equine Vet J, 44(3), 325-331.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00429.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Suffolk, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Fractures, Bone / diagnosis
- Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Male
- Radiography
- Tarsal Bones / injuries
- Tarsal Bones / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Pudert T, Fries GF, Lotz H, Röcken M, Cruz AM. Use of a new aiming compression device and technique for the repair of navicular bone fractures in horses: A cadaveric study. Vet Surg 2025 Jan;54(1):98-106.
- McParland TJ, Horne CR, Robertson JB, Schnabel LV, Nelson NC. Alterations to the synovial invaginations of the navicular bone are associated with pathology of both the navicular apparatus and distal interphalangeal joint when evaluated using high field MRI. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2023 Jan;64(1):9-17.
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