## Overview Hind foot lameness is pain originating in the hind hoof, often from the navicular region, deep digital flexor tendon, or collateral ligaments of the coffin joint. It is frequently misdiagnosed as hock or stifle pain. Improvement with plantar digital nerve blocks and worse lameness on soft footing are clues. ## Causes Navicular syndrome, soft-tissue injury within the hoof, abscess, or bruising. ## Diagnosis Lameness examination with diagnostic analgesia, radiographs, and often magnetic resonance imaging for soft-tissue detail. ## Treatment Depends on the specific lesion: shoeing, injections, rest, or surgery. Many cases are manageable. ## Recovery and Prognosis Variable by diagnosis. Many horses return to use with appropriate management. ## Prevention Balanced shoeing and appropriate workload.
chronic low-grade hind-limb lameness; improves with plantar digital nerve blocks; often worse on soft footing; may be misdiagnosed as higher-limb pain
## Overview Hind foot lameness is pain originating in the hind hoof, often from the navicular region, deep digital flexor tendon, or collateral ligaments of the coffin joint. It is frequently misdiagnosed as hock or stifle pain. Improvement with plantar digital nerve blocks and worse lameness on soft footing are clues. ## Causes Navicular syndrome, soft-tissue injury within the hoof, abscess, or bruising. ## Diagnosis Lameness examination with diagnostic analgesia, radiographs, and often magnetic resonance imaging for soft-tissue detail. ## Treatment Depends on the specific lesion: shoeing, injections, rest, or surgery. Many cases are manageable. ## Recovery and Prognosis Variable by diagnosis. Many horses return to use with appropriate management. ## Prevention Balanced shoeing and appropriate workload.
chronic low-grade hind-limb lameness; improves with plantar digital nerve blocks; often worse on soft footing; may be misdiagnosed as higher-limb pain