Lameness of the Heel Region

Lameness of the Heel Region



Basic Information image



Definition


Lameness caused by soreness originating at the palmar or plantar aspect of the foot



Synonym(s)


Palmar heel pain, navicular syndrome, heel soreness



Epidemiology



Species, Age, Sex




• Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, and Warmblood breeds are most commonly affected.


• The average age at onset is 9 years (range, 3–18 years), but the average for Warmbloods is 7 years.



Genetics and Breed Predisposition


Horses with small feet and a large body size are predisposed.



Risk Factors




• Predisposing factors include a long toe or an underrun heel; a long, sloping pastern; and small feet with a large body mass.


• Horses used for jumping or used frequently on hard footing are also predisposed.



Clinical Presentation



Disease Forms/Subtypes




• There are numerous causes of pain in the palmar aspect of the foot. These causes can be arbitrarily divided into conditions of the hoof wall and horn-producing tissues, conditions of the third phalanx, and conditions of the navicular region. Hoof problems include hoof wall defects, contusions of the hoof causing bruising or corn formation, abscess formation, and thrush or canker. Third phalanx lamenesses blocked out by palmar digital anesthesia include wing fractures, marginal fractures, solar fractures of the distal phalanx, and deep digital flexor insertional tenopathy.


• Conditions of the navicular region include distal interphalangeal synovitis, deep digital flexor tendinitis, desmitis of the impar (distal navicular) ligament or collateral sesamoidean ligaments, navicular osteitis or osteopathy, and vascular disease.



History, Chief Complaint


Chronic, recurring forelimb lameness that is most evident on hard ground or when the horse is worked in circles



Physical Exam Findings


The lameness is usually mild to moderate but may be intermittently severe. It usually affects the front feet and is bilateral in most cases. The onset is chronic and insidious, yet owners frequently complain of sudden onset of lameness. The gait is often short and choppy at a trot, and lameness is exacerbated in a circle.

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Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Lameness of the Heel Region

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