Treating navicular syndrome in equine patients.

This research article discusses the various treatment methods for navicular syndrome in horses, a chronic and progressive condition affecting certain bone and tissue areas. It considers the effectiveness of rest, hoof care, medical therapy, and surgical therapy, as well as emerging alternative treatments, while taking into account a horse’s specific needs and owner’s compliance.

Description of Navicular Syndrome

• Navicular syndrome is described here as a chronic, deteriorative condition that affects the navicular bone and bursa, the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), and various associated soft tissue structures within a horse’s hoof.

Considerations for Treatment Plan

• The researchers point out that forming an effective treatment plan for navicular syndrome hinges upon several factors. These include the severity of the horse’s clinical signs, its intended use and workload, and the degree of compliance of the horse’s owner with the proposed treatment.

Non-surgical Treatment Options

• The paper discusses several nonsurgical treatment methods. These include periods of rest for the horse, maintaining hoof balance and providing corrective trimming/shoeing, and the administration of several types of medical therapy. The medical therapies include systemic anti-inflammatories, hemorheologic medications, and intraarticular medications.

Surgical Treatment Options

• When non-surgical treatment methods prove to be ineffective, surgical therapy could be considered. These can include desmotomy of the collateral (suspensory) ligaments of the navicular bone, or palmar digital neurectomy, with the latter being more commonly performed.

Adjunct Therapies

• Recently, adjunct therapies such as acupuncture and extracorporeal shock wave therapy have also been used in the treatment of horses with navicular syndrome.

Treatment Customization and Focus

• The research concludes that due to the variety of pathological changes associated with navicular syndrome, and the lack of a definitive cure, treatment should be catered to the individual needs of each horse. The focus of treatment should be on managing clinical symptoms, alleviating stress, and slowing the degenerative changes in the navicular bursal and navicular regions of the horse’s hoof.