Unilateral perineural anaesthesia on the lame leg facilitates the selection of z bar shoeing technique for the treatment of navicular syndrome

Abstract

Navicular syndrome causes chronic lameness and attenuates the exercise performance. Several shoeing methods have been implemented, but their success has been inconsistent. The objective of this study was to develop a diagnostic aid to select the appropriate shoeing method for the treatment of navicular syndrome. Five equestrian horses with chronic lameness were studied. The lameness examination, then unilateral anaesthetics and trotting after each point of administration were performed until no lameness sign. Radiographs were later taken of the affected hooves. The horses were diagnosed with navicular syndrome with unilateral palmar pain, z bar shoes were applied on the lame legs. Gait was analysed before shoeing and 5 min, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after shoeing except for horse no. 3, for which the evaluation at 8 weeks was omitted. Horses no. 2 and 3 showed a significant decrease in lameness score at 2 weeks and progressive decrease at 4 or 8 weeks. Horses no. 1, 4 and 5 demonstrated a significant reduction in lameness score at 4 weeks and substantial decreases at 8 weeks after shoeing. Although a limited number of animals, unilateral perineural anaesthesia on the lame leg facilitates the selection of z bar shoeing for navicular syndrome treatment.