Biomechanical testing of the calcified metacarpal articular surface and its association with subchondral bone microstructure in Thoroughbred racehorses

Summary Background Palmar/plantar osteochondral disease (POD) and third metacarpal/‐tarsal condylar fractures are considered fatigue injuries of subchondral bone (SCB) and calcified cartilage due to repetitive high loads in racehorses. In combination with adaptive changes in SCB in response to race...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Equine veterinary journal 2018-03, Vol.50 (2), p.255-260
Main Authors: Williamson, A. J., Sims, N. A., Thomas, C. D. L., Lee, P. V. S., Stevenson, M. A., Whitton, R. C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biomechanical Phenomena
Biomechanics
Bone and Bones - anatomy & histology
Bone Density - physiology
Calcification
Cartilage, Articular
Computed tomography
Cross-Sectional Studies
Fatigue
Fractures
horse
Horses
Injuries
Mechanical properties
Mechanical tests
Metacarpal
Metacarpal Bones - physiology
Metacarpus
Microstructure
osteoarthritis
palmar osteochondral disease
Physical Conditioning, Animal
Racehorses
Skeleton
Skin & tissue grafts
Sports
Subchondral bone
Unevenness
X-Ray Microtomography
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Summary:Summary Background Palmar/plantar osteochondral disease (POD) and third metacarpal/‐tarsal condylar fractures are considered fatigue injuries of subchondral bone (SCB) and calcified cartilage due to repetitive high loads in racehorses. In combination with adaptive changes in SCB in response to race training, the accumulation of SCB fatigue is likely to result in changes of joint surface mechanical properties. Objectives To determine the spatial relationship and correlation of calcified articular surface biomechanical properties with SCB microstructure and training history in the distal palmar metacarpal condyle of Thoroughbred racehorses. Study design Cross‐sectional study. Methods Third metacarpal condyles were examined from 31 Thoroughbred horses with micro‐computed tomography (microCT). Hyaline cartilage was removed and reference point indentation (RPI) mechanical testing of the calcified articular surface was performed. Training histories were obtained from trainers. The association among indentation distance increase (IDI, an inverse RPI measure of toughness), and microCT and training variables was assessed using a mixed‐effects generalised linear model. Results Untrained horses had higher IDI than horses that had commenced training (P
ISSN:0425-1644
2042-3306
DOI:10.1111/evj.12748