The radiographic development of the distal and proximal double contours of the equine navicular bone on dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique (upright pedal) radiographs, from age 1 to 11 months.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to monitor the postnatal radiographic development of the proximal and distal double contours and the modelling of the shape of the proximal articular border. In mature horses, the proximal and distal contours of the navicular bone on dorsopalmar dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique (upright pedal) radiographs are commonly visualised as 2 lines, one being the articular border and the second representing the border of the cortex facing the deep digital flexor tendon (flexor border). The shape of the proximal articular border may be concave, undulating, straight or convex in the mature animal. These shapes have been found to be hereditary and to constitute a predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of navicular disease. This predisposing role may result from a shape dependent distribution of the biomechanical forces exerted on this region. There is no agreement in the literature with respect to the moment when the navicular bone takes its mature radiographic appearance. Upright pedal radiographs of the left front foot of 19 Dutch Warmblood foals were made at age 1 month and subsequently at intervals of 4 weeks, until the age of 11 months. The distal double contour developed soon after birth and the radiographic visibility of the articular border improved from ill-defined at 1 or 2 months to clear manifestation at 3 or 4 months. The proximal double contour developed later. The articular border became usually visible at age 3 or 4 months and was clearly visible from age 9 months. The mature shape of the proximal articular border usually became recognisable from age 7 months and was always obvious between 9 and 11 months. This development was associated with a gradual modelling of the lateral and medial extremities of the navicular bone. It was concluded that the navicular bone adopts its mature radiological appearance during the first year postpartum. Considering this early manifestation of the mature shape of the proximal articular border and its previously demonstrated inheritance, a force-dependent development of this shape, as predicted by the trajectional theory/Wolffs law, is improbable. The predisposing role of this shape in the pathogenesis of navicular disease may therefore be explained by a shape-dependent distribution of the biomechanical forces exerted on the navicular bone. Considering the potential application of these findings, from age 1 year shape determination enables identification of the individual and breed susceptibility for the development of navicular disease.
Publication Date: 2001-02-24 PubMed ID: 11191614DOI: 10.2746/042516401776767421Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research study examined the development of the navicular bone in horses, particularly the proximal and distal contours, and how these contours might contribute to the onset of navicular disease. It determined how these contours develop during the first year of a horse’s life and the potential to diagnose susceptibility to navicular disease based on the shape of these contours from the age of one.
Study Purpose and Methodology
- The researchers intended to evaluate the postnatal growth of specific parts of the navicular bone, a small bone found in the horse’s hoof. Specifically, the focus was on the proximal and distal double contours and the shaping of the proximal articular border.
- To achieve this, radiographs of the left front foot of 19 Dutch Warmblood foals were done, starting when the foals were 1 month old and repeating every 4 weeks until they were 11 months old. These radiographs helped the researchers to monitor the development of these distinct parts of the navicular bone and how they take on their mature appearance.
Findings
- The study found that the distal double contour of the navicular bone develops soon after birth, and the visibility of the articular border improves significantly between 1 to 4 months.
- The proximal double contour takes a bit longer to develop, becoming visible usually from the third or fourth month and clearly visible from nine months.
- The mature shape of the proximal articular border, recognized as a possible factor contributing to navicular disease, usually becomes recognizable from the seventh month and was always evident between the ninth and eleventh month.
Conclusions and Implications
- From their observations, the researchers concluded that the navicular bone adopts its mature appearance during the horse’s first year of life.
- They disputethe previous(trajectory theory/Wolff’s law) proposition that there is a force-dependent development of the shape of this bone and instead suggested that the predisposing role this shape has in the onset of navicular disease might be explained by a shape-dependent distribution of the biomechanical forces exerted on the navicular bone.
- This determination of shape from a horse’s first year of life may offer a method to identify individual and breed susceptibility to navicular disease, potentially contributing to preventive measures and treatment strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Dik KJ, van den Belt AJ, Enzerink E, van Weeren PR.
(2001).
The radiographic development of the distal and proximal double contours of the equine navicular bone on dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique (upright pedal) radiographs, from age 1 to 11 months.
Equine Vet J, 33(1), 70-74.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516401776767421 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
- Forelimb / growth & development
- Forelimb / physiology
- Horses / growth & development
- Horses / physiology
- Radiography
- Tarsal Bones / diagnostic imaging
- Tarsal Bones / growth & development
- Tarsal Bones / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- 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.
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