Navicular Disease (Vet Topics)

1. Definition

2. Anatomical Review

3. Aetiopathogenesis
Proximal margin
Distal margin
Flexor surface
Bone structure

4. Clinical Signs

5. Diagnosis
Diagnostic anaesthesia
Imaging diagnosis
Radiology
Ultrasound
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Scintigraphy
Computed tomography (CT)
Thermography

6. Treatment
Orthopaedic treatment
Medical treatment
Nonsteroidal anti-in ammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Intrasynovial medication
Isoxsuprine
Anticoagulant therapy
Bisphosphonates
Bursoscopy
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)
Surgical treatment
Palmar digital neurectomy
Desmotomy of the suspensory ligaments of the navicular bone

7. References

This work provides an update on the existing knowledge about navicular disease. It offers abundant information on the clinical findings that can be obtained using the different diagnostic tests, as well as on the therapeutic approaches indicated for the different conditions associated with the disease, and which in many cases make it possible to successfully prolong the sports life of affected horses.

Pablo Adrados De Llano
He is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and has served as Chairman of the Spanish Association of Equine Clinical Veterinarians (AEVEE).

Álvaro Vázquez-Goyoaga
He is specialised and has extensive experience in equine clinical practice, and has worked in all equine sports disciplines. He has been a university lecturer since his early days 30 years ago, and is a founding partner of EQUISAN Veterinaria Integral.

Raquel Gómez-Lucas
She has been working at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Alfonso X el Sabio University (Madrid) for over a decade, specialised in the field of Sports Medicine and Imaging Diagnosis. She supervises the Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for horses of this institution.