Diagnosing navicular disease and the role of MRI

Summary

# Diagnosing Navicular Disease and the Role of MRI Navicular disease remains a significant cause of forelimb lameness in horses, yet traditional diagnostic approaches have historically relied on clinical examination and radiography, which often fail to reveal soft tissue pathology until advanced degenerative changes are evident. Smith's 2015 examination emphasises the diagnostic superiority of MRI in identifying early navicular changes—particularly damage to the collateral sesamoidean ligaments, flexor cortex lesions, and bone marrow oedema—before these lesions become apparent on conventional imaging. By detecting subclinical pathology and mapping the precise location and extent of tissue damage, MRI enables practitioners to stratify cases more accurately and tailor intervention strategies accordingly, potentially shifting the focus from palliative management towards earlier regenerative or corrective treatments. The improved diagnostic precision afforded by MRI has direct implications for prognosis communication with owners and athletes, as lesion severity and character (rather than presence alone) now correlate more reliably with functional outcomes. For farriers, veterinarians, and rehabilitation specialists, incorporating MRI findings into case assessment protocols facilitates more targeted shoeing modifications, pharmacological interventions, and physiotherapy programmes, ultimately improving the chances of returning affected horses to useful work.

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Key Findings

• •Deeper understanding of navicular disease pathophysiology can improve treatment protocols
• •MRI plays a diagnostic role in identifying navicular disease lesions
• •Improved diagnosis correlates with better prognosis for affected horses

Conditions Studied