Ischaemic necrosis of the navicular bone and its treatment.

The research article suggests that there’s no significant difference in the incidence of erosions and discoloration of the flexor cartilage of the navicular bone between the control horses and those with navicular disease. It introduces the use of anticoagulant therapy as a potential treatment for navicular disease, although its long-term results are not yet confirmed.

Navicular Disease and Thrombosis

• The study investigated navicular disease in horses, a common cause of lameness in the rear hooves. The navicular bone contributes to the horse’s ability to perform springy, fluid movements by enabling downward flexion of the lower limbs.
• Both the control group of 95 horses and the group of 16 horses with the disease showed similar presence of erosions and discoloration in the flexor cartilage of the navicular bone, indicating that these factors are not significant indicators of the disease.
• However, all cases with navicular disease experienced thrombosis (blood clots) in the distal navicular nutrient arteries – blood vessels providing nourishment to the navicular bone. These thromboses could be associated with changes to the shape of the distal nutrient foramen (an opening in the bone carrying blood vessels and nerves) in the navicular bone.

Limited Effectiveness of Previous Treatments

• Based on the data gathered in this survey, existing treatment approaches for navicular disease were found to have minimal success. The traditional lines of treatment such as corrective horseshoeing, administering anti-inflammatory medication, and surgical treatment were not effective in combating the disease.

Potential Treatment: Anticoagulant Therapy

• The researchers propose a potential path for treating navicular disease by using anticoagulant therapy. Anticoagulants, which prevent the formation of blood clots, may help address the thrombosis seen in horses with this disease.
• However, this therapeutic approach is still in the preliminary stages. Its long-term results and efficacy are yet to be assessed thoroughly to ascertain its viability as a treatment for navicular disease in horses.