Surgical treatment of navicular syndrome in the horse using navicular suspensory desmotomy

Authors: Sullivan STK, Bridge IS, Bell BTL
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 44, Issue 1, pp 26-30, Feb 1996
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Horse, Livestock
Subject Terms: Skeletal/bone/cartilage, Locomotor, Disease/defect, Surgery, Tendon/ligament
Article class: Clinical Communication

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Abstract: Seventeen horses diagnosed as having navicular syndrome on the basis of history, clinical findings, regional local anaesthesia and radiography were subjected to bilateral navicular suspensory desmotomy. Before surgery, the duration of navicular lameness ranged from 6 weeks to 4 years. Previous unsuccessful treatments prior to surgery included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, corrective shoeing, rest and isoxsuprine. For the seventeen horses subject to surgery, twelve horses were sound, one horse was improved and four horses were lame at a minimum of 6 months after surgery.

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