## Overview Erosion of the flexor surface refers to loss of cartilage or bone on the flexor (palmar/plantar) aspect of a bone, most often the navicular bone where the deep digital flexor tendon glides. It is a component of navicular syndrome / podotrochlear disease and contributes to chronic foot pain. ## Causes Chronic mechanical stress and degenerative change at the tendon-bone interface. ## Diagnosis Radiographs may show changes; magnetic resonance imaging is more sensitive for flexor surface erosions and concurrent tendon lesions. ## Treatment Standard navicular management: shoeing, anti-inflammatories, and injections. Surgical options exist for selected cases. ## Recovery and Prognosis Guarded. Many horses are managed successfully at a reduced level of work. ## Prevention Early attention to foot balance and workload.
chronic forelimb lameness; positive hoof testers or nerve blocks to the foot; imaging evidence of flexor cortex erosion
## Overview Erosion of the flexor surface refers to loss of cartilage or bone on the flexor (palmar/plantar) aspect of a bone, most often the navicular bone where the deep digital flexor tendon glides. It is a component of navicular syndrome / podotrochlear disease and contributes to chronic foot pain. ## Causes Chronic mechanical stress and degenerative change at the tendon-bone interface. ## Diagnosis Radiographs may show changes; magnetic resonance imaging is more sensitive for flexor surface erosions and concurrent tendon lesions. ## Treatment Standard navicular management: shoeing, anti-inflammatories, and injections. Surgical options exist for selected cases. ## Recovery and Prognosis Guarded. Many horses are managed successfully at a reduced level of work. ## Prevention Early attention to foot balance and workload.
chronic forelimb lameness; positive hoof testers or nerve blocks to the foot; imaging evidence of flexor cortex erosion