Navicular syndrome in sport horses as a result of the disorder of biological bone tissue turnover rhythm: a review

Abstract

This review summarizes the macroanatomical changes affecting the navicular bone in terms of mechanisms of bone turnover. Many researchers associate the disorders described in this review with limb overloads occurring periodically during training. As a result of intensified and repetitive biomechanical strains, accumulation of microcracks occurs in the bone tissue. It can disrupt the natural rhythm of tissue regeneration. The rhythm comprises a short resorption stage as well as bone formation stage, which lasts several months in horses. The article also dwells on different forms of macroscopic lesions of the navicular bone, which may occur in the uncoupled Basic Multicellular Unit. They lead to the navicular syndrome, which is irreversible and most often eliminates the horse from sport competitions.

Keywords:

• horses
• bone turnover
• remodeling
• navicular bone
• navicular syndrome