'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.
Horses can develop the problem after eating too much grain or too much rich green grass. In former days, concussion on hard roads was another common cause of the problem. Over-consumption of grain can have an instant effect, while grass has a more gradual but no less serious effect. Inflammation in the digestive tract eventually shows up in the front feet, which bear most of the animal's weight. In severe cases, the navicular bones may rotate, putting painful pressure on the sensitive sole of the foot.
This condition must be treated at once with anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, to keep damage to a minimum. Vets usually recommend stall confinement at first and then restriction from grass. Weight loss is also often a part of recovery, and thyroid medication may be prescribed. If the problem was over-consumption of grain, the stomach is usually flushed with oil to make the grain pass through the digestive tract. If too much lush grass caused the problem, the owner might need to limit access to pasture in future, especially in spring when the new grass is especially lush.
If the horse recovers, it may be returned to light work. If lameness persists, the useful life of the horse will be over if it's not suitable for breeding. Severe cases will leave the horse in pain, so many owners choose to have such animals 'put down' or euthanized. Because horses are grazing herd animals, solitary confinement in a stall or dry lot is not 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.
The condition shows up first as a minor, nagging soreness in the foot, which worsens withe exercise and is relieved by rest. A cast and crutches may be prescribes if a fracture has occurred. Most people recover from the damage they've done to their foot.
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, people with sore feet don't face euthanasia. However, they may have to be careful in the future to avoid chronic pain. Horses are usually shod with special shoes which restrict the flexing of the hoof wall, and people also may need special shoes and arch supports. Physical therapy, massage, and ultrasound treatments may help.
Horses can develop the problem after eating too much grain or too much rich green grass. In former days, concussion on hard roads was another common cause of the problem. Over-consumption of grain can have an instant effect, while grass has a more gradual but no less serious effect. Inflammation in the digestive tract eventually shows up in the front feet, which bear most of the animal's weight. In severe cases, the navicular bones may rotate, putting painful pressure on the sensitive sole of the foot.
This condition must be treated at once with anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, to keep damage to a minimum. Vets usually recommend stall confinement at first and then restriction from grass. Weight loss is also often a part of recovery, and thyroid medication may be prescribed. If the problem was over-consumption of grain, the stomach is usually flushed with oil to make the grain pass through the digestive tract. If too much lush grass caused the problem, the owner might need to limit access to pasture in future, especially in spring when the new grass is especially lush.
If the horse recovers, it may be returned to light work. If lameness persists, the useful life of the horse will be over if it's not suitable for breeding. Severe cases will leave the horse in pain, so many owners choose to have such animals 'put down' or euthanized. Because horses are grazing herd animals, solitary confinement in a stall or dry lot is not 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.
The condition shows up first as a minor, nagging soreness in the foot, which worsens withe exercise and is relieved by rest. A cast and crutches may be prescribes if a fracture has occurred. Most people recover from the damage they've done to their foot.
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, people with sore feet don't face euthanasia. However, they may have to be careful in the future to avoid chronic pain. Horses are usually shod with special shoes which restrict the flexing of the hoof wall, and people also may need special shoes and arch supports. Physical therapy, massage, and ultrasound treatments may help.
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