Posted by M. W. Myers, D.V.M. on May 03, 2003 at 16:41:19:
In Reply to: Re: Navicular Syndrome xrays Danvers or Dr. Meyers? posted by Suzanne on April 28, 2003 at 13:13:28:
: Looked at the xrays yesterday. The navicular bone in the first one was easy to see and very white in the xray which from what I understand is solid bone. This one was taken last July. The second xray was taken in March of the navicular bone and the white part is half of what it was in July. So, what the vet and farrier are saying is that the navicular bone has eroded by 50% in 8 months. Vet said she only assumed the tendon was eroding based on looking at the xrays. I don't like retiring a horse based on assumptions. The other thing is both xrays were taken at different angles which in my mind could distort what we are looking at. Opinions anyone? How accurate are these xrays and what is the margin for error on something like this? Farrier shod my horse yesterday and after seeing him go his words were "he is going to make us all look like fools" and he also said that "I should start showing him" Talk about confusing contradictions !!
Unless you have very precise control of the current useage of the radiographic unit, comparison of density betweem two sets of films taken some time apart is problematical at best. Is the bone denser compared to the other bones in the same films or are these bones showing differing densities as well?
The navicular bone is not a solid structure and has a marrow cavity as do most of the bones. If it is appearing as a solid structure the technique is generally too "soft" to adequately show all of the bone structure.
I would say a full radiographic series of the bone as well as balance films should be done. Shoeing this horse from corectly taken balance films is the best you can do. After this enjoy each other's company maximally and let nature sort out the rest. If things start to unravel after some time, take appropriate steps to correct each turn in the road of the future for the both of you.
M. W. Myers, D.V.M.