'If your feet hurt, you hurt all over' is a saying that has persisted for generations. Healthy feet are important to animals, who may need to run or climb to safety at any time. Humans have other ways to get around but having navicular pain or other reasons for sore feet can take all the pleasure out of life. In horses, a severe condition can end useful life. People may require treatment and/or surgery to get relief.
Horse owners are familiar with and terrified of the word 'navicular'. It's associated with a ailment called 'founder', which happens to horses who eat too much rich grass or grain. It begins as inflammation in the digestive tract and can cause soreness in the front feet. In severe cases, the bone that gives the disease it's name can 'rotate' or get out of proper alignment. This puts pressure on the inner sole of the foot and is extremely painful.
Also called 'founder', this condition can be treated. Stall rest and anti-inflammatory drugs can ease the pain. Extended time in a dry lot, or grass-free area, can sometimes restore soundness, although it does not reverse damage to the structure of the inner foot. If horses are over-weight, the vet may prescribe thyroid medication and restrictions on feed and forage. Contracting this disorder makes horses more vulnerable to repeated attacks in future.
In minor cases, lameness will eventually disappear and the horse can be returned to light work. Sometimes the condition affects one front foot and the horse will support its weight on the other, which causes additional problems. In many cases, vets recommend that a horse in pain and with no useful future be 'put down' or euthanized. If this sounds harsh, remember that horses are grazing animals and confining them to a barn or dry paddock does not give them a normal life.
People also have a navicular bone, located in the middle of the foot, which can become painful. Basketball or soccer players who run, stop, and turn repeatedly often develop soreness in the mid-foot area. The bone may fracture under the stress or because of distortion caused by a sprained tendon.
At first, the pain may be a minor soreness which is alleviated by rest. Exercise will cause it to return and gradually worsen, especially if a stress fracture is involved. Immobilizing the foot and lower leg in a cast and using crutches often allows the foot to heal.
Surgery is sometimes required if a fracture does not heal, or if damage is severe enough to make future arthritic deterioration probable. Diagnosis is made with X-rays, and painkillers can handle the pain while less drastic measures are tried. Some people have an 'accessory navicular', which is a extra, tiny bone embedded in a tendon. Even when they are not athletes, they may have problems caused by twisting the foot or wearing improper shoes.
Fortunately for people, their usefulness is not centered in their feet, as a horse's often is. Their future won't include euthanasia for this lameness. However, both people and horses may find themselves slightly less durable than before the injury. Horses are often shod with special shoes to protect the inner foot and restrict flexing of the hoof wall. People may find relief with arch support and special shoes. Treatments suggested by physical therapists can include ultrasound, massage, and immobilization for a period of healing.
Horse owners are familiar with and terrified of the word 'navicular'. It's associated with a ailment called 'founder', which happens to horses who eat too much rich grass or grain. It begins as inflammation in the digestive tract and can cause soreness in the front feet. In severe cases, the bone that gives the disease it's name can 'rotate' or get out of proper alignment. This puts pressure on the inner sole of the foot and is extremely painful.
Also called 'founder', this condition can be treated. Stall rest and anti-inflammatory drugs can ease the pain. Extended time in a dry lot, or grass-free area, can sometimes restore soundness, although it does not reverse damage to the structure of the inner foot. If horses are over-weight, the vet may prescribe thyroid medication and restrictions on feed and forage. Contracting this disorder makes horses more vulnerable to repeated attacks in future.
In minor cases, lameness will eventually disappear and the horse can be returned to light work. Sometimes the condition affects one front foot and the horse will support its weight on the other, which causes additional problems. In many cases, vets recommend that a horse in pain and with no useful future be 'put down' or euthanized. If this sounds harsh, remember that horses are grazing animals and confining them to a barn or dry paddock does not give them a normal life.
People also have a navicular bone, located in the middle of the foot, which can become painful. Basketball or soccer players who run, stop, and turn repeatedly often develop soreness in the mid-foot area. The bone may fracture under the stress or because of distortion caused by a sprained tendon.
At first, the pain may be a minor soreness which is alleviated by rest. Exercise will cause it to return and gradually worsen, especially if a stress fracture is involved. Immobilizing the foot and lower leg in a cast and using crutches often allows the foot to heal.
Surgery is sometimes required if a fracture does not heal, or if damage is severe enough to make future arthritic deterioration probable. Diagnosis is made with X-rays, and painkillers can handle the pain while less drastic measures are tried. Some people have an 'accessory navicular', which is a extra, tiny bone embedded in a tendon. Even when they are not athletes, they may have problems caused by twisting the foot or wearing improper shoes.
Fortunately for people, their usefulness is not centered in their feet, as a horse's often is. Their future won't include euthanasia for this lameness. However, both people and horses may find themselves slightly less durable than before the injury. Horses are often shod with special shoes to protect the inner foot and restrict flexing of the hoof wall. People may find relief with arch support and special shoes. Treatments suggested by physical therapists can include ultrasound, massage, and immobilization for a period of healing.
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