Navicular syndrome

Summary

# Navicular Syndrome: Clinical Update and Management Strategies Navicular syndrome remains one of the most challenging chronic lameness conditions affecting performance horses, necessitating a thorough understanding of current diagnostic approaches and evidence-based treatment protocols. Shepherd's review synthesises contemporary knowledge on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the condition, examining how degenerative changes to the navicular bone and associated soft tissue structures (including the deep digital flexor tendon and collateral sesamoidean ligaments) contribute to progressive forelimb lameness. The analysis encompasses diagnostic modalities ranging from conventional radiography through to advanced imaging techniques, establishing a tiered approach to confirm diagnosis and determine severity. Key recommendations emphasise the importance of early intervention combining farriery modifications (particularly rocker shoes and palmer/plantar support), targeted therapeutic remedies, and judicious use of intra-articular medications to slow degenerative progression and maintain athletic function. For equine professionals, this clinical overview reinforces that successful management of navicular syndrome depends on individualised treatment protocols tailored to each horse's conformation, workload and imaging findings, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

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Key Findings

• •Review discusses current diagnostic approaches to navicular syndrome
• •Multiple treatment protocols are presented for managing navicular cases
• •Expert synthesis of latest evidence on navicular syndrome management available as of 2014

Conditions Studied