Very Common
Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Fracture of Navicular Bone
Synonyms: Congenital Bipartite Navicular Bone
Summary
While degenerative disease of the navicular bone is common, actual fracture of the navicular bone is rare. Fracture usually results from direct and severe trauma. Exercise at speed over rocky ground can result in this fracture.
This fracture usually results in a very severe lameness with very slow improvement over time but poor likelihood of return to athletic performance.
DIAGNOSIS is most commonly radiographic. Radiographs must be interpreted carefully due to packing defects and cracks in the frog that can look like fractures.
Fractures should be differentiated from congenital abnormalities of navicular bones. Occasionally we see navicular bones that are in multiple pieces. These are known as bipartite or tripartite navicular bones. They are thought to result from abnormal development in utero. Horses with multipartite navicular bones usually have a poor prognosis because the abnormal surface ultimately causes further degeneration of the bone, joint and tendon.
TREATMENT is generally time, special shoeing (wedging up). rest and pain management during the acute phase after injury.
This fracture usually results in a very severe lameness with very slow improvement over time but poor likelihood of return to athletic performance.
DIAGNOSIS is most commonly radiographic. Radiographs must be interpreted carefully due to packing defects and cracks in the frog that can look like fractures.
Fractures should be differentiated from congenital abnormalities of navicular bones. Occasionally we see navicular bones that are in multiple pieces. These are known as bipartite or tripartite navicular bones. They are thought to result from abnormal development in utero. Horses with multipartite navicular bones usually have a poor prognosis because the abnormal surface ultimately causes further degeneration of the bone, joint and tendon.
TREATMENT is generally time, special shoeing (wedging up). rest and pain management during the acute phase after injury.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Horses with navicular fracture generally have a poor prognosis for return to athletic soundness.Horses with multipartite navicular bones have a poor prognosis for performance use and guarded prognosis for light use.
Radiographs must be interpreted carefully due to packing defects and cracks in the frog that can look like fractures.
my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Rare
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Are you sure this apparent crack in the navicular bone is not an artifact?
- What additional information can be gained by the use of MRI?
Prevention
Avoid exercise at speed over rocky ground, the most common reason for fracture of navicular bone.
Prevent purchase of horse with congenital abnormality of navicular bone by having purchase exams performed by qualified veterinarian.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
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Related References:
Ellen J. van der Zaag, Erik A. W. S. Weerts, Antoon J. M. van den Belt, and Willem Clinicopathological findings in horses with a bi- or tripartite navicular bone: BMC Vet Res. 2016; 12: 74.
Published online 2016 Apr 9. doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0698-4