Navicular disease is?

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Navicular disease is a degenerative process that affects the navicular bone and the structures that support the navicular apparatus, including the navicular bone itself, the navicular bursa, and the surrounding ligaments and tendons. It is best described as degeneration or accelerated remodeling of the navicular bone and related structures, not just a single inflammation, fracture, or simple soft tissue swelling. This broader, degenerative perspective explains why horses with navicular disease often have chronic lameness from changes in the navicular area, rather than an acute injury confined to one tissue.