The skeletal system in horses comprises a complex structure of bones that provide support, protection, and mobility. Equine bones are involved in various physiological functions, including mineral storage and hematopoiesis. The bone structure in horses is categorized into different types, such as long bones, short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones, each serving specific roles in movement and stability. Research in this area explores topics such as bone development, remodeling, and the impact of nutrition and exercise on bone health. This page gathers peer-reviewed studies and academic articles that focus on the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of bones in horses, offering insights into conditions such as fractures, bone diseases, and the effects of aging on the equine skeletal system.
Ishihara A, Zekas LJ, Weisbrode SE, Bertone AL.Cell-mediated and direct adenoviral (Ad) vector gene therapies can induce bone regeneration, including dermal fibroblasts (DFbs). We compared two effective therapies, DFb-mediated and direct Ad vector delivery of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2), for relative efficacy in bone regeneration. Equine rib drill defects were treated by percutaneous injection of either DFb-BMP2 or an Ad-BMP2 vector. At week 6, both DFb-BMP2- and Ad-BMP2-treated rib defects had greater bone filling volume and mineral density, with DFb-BMP2 inducing greater bone volume and maturity in the cortical bone aspect of the...
Carmalt JL, Delaney L, Wilson DG.To compare the biomechanical cyclic fatigue properties of 2 and 3 parallel transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws used in arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. Methods: Randomized block design, for horse, fixation method (2 versus three 5.5 mm cortical screws), side (right, left) and end (front, hind) in cadaveric equine limbs. Methods: Cadaveric adult equine fore- and hindlimbs (n=5 pairs each). Methods: Two parallel 5.5 mm cortical screws were inserted in lag fashion, transarticularly through the PIP joint in 1 limb of a pair, and in the contralateral limb, three 5.5 mm cor...
Lewis AJ, Sod GA, Burba DJ, Mitchell CF.To compare compression pressure (CP) of 6.5 mm Acutrak Plus (AP) and 4.5 mm AO cortical screws (AO) when inserted in simulated lateral condylar fractures of equine 3rd metacarpal (MC3) bones. Methods: Paired in vitro biomechanical testing. Methods: Cadaveric equine MC3 bones (n=12 pair). Methods: Complete lateral condylar osteotomies were created parallel to the midsagittal ridge at 20, 12, and 8 mm axial to the epicondylar fossa on different specimens grouped accordingly. Interfragmentary compression was measured using a pressure sensor placed in the fracture plane before screw placement for ...
Sod GA, Riggs LM, Mitchell CF, Hubert JD, Martin GS.To compare in vitro monotonic biomechanical properties of an axial 3-hole, 4.5 mm narrow dynamic compression plate (DCP) using 5.5 mm cortical screws in conjunction with 2 abaxial transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws inserted in lag fashion (DCP-TLS) with 3 parallel transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws inserted in lag fashion (3-TLS) for the equine proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthrodesis. Methods: Paired in vitro biomechanical testing of 2 methods of stabilizing cadaveric adult equine forelimb PIP joints. Methods: Cadaveric adult equine forelimbs (n=15 pairs). Methods: For each fore...
Grossi B, Canals M.We analyzed the morphology and the walk-trot and trot-gallop transition velocities of nine juvenile horses and compared them with their mothers. We also compared the relative stride length and the duty factor of the juveniles with respect to adults at three equivalent trotting speeds (Froude numbers 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0), to determine dynamic similarity. Juveniles had a negative allometry in their leg bones, mainly because of little size changes of the distal portions. The negative allometry of extremities allows juveniles to increase stride length without increasing step frequency, which can be...
Matsuda K, Tabata S, Kawamura Y, Kurosawa T, Yoshie N, Taniyama H.Ectopic bone formation in the left atrioventricular valves and cardiac fibroskeleton, with systemic circulatory disturbance, is reported in a 4-year-old crossbred heavy horse. Microscopically, there was fibrosis, chondral metaplasia and mature bone, with bone marrow within the left atrioventricular cusps and in the annuli of the aortic and right atrioventricular valves.
Ramzan PH, Powell SE.Sagittal fracture of the proximal phalanx (P1) is an important musculoskeletal injury of the performance horse. Although widely considered to be monotonic in nature, there is emerging evidence that some P1 fractures may have stress-injury aetiology. Three cases are described in which imaging features found were suggestive of prodromal bone injury. All cases returned to full performance use after a period of rest. The authors conclude that it is possible that some P1 fractures in the Thoroughbred racehorse may develop through stress/fatigue injury pathways. It is proposed that intervention prio...
Neil KM, Axon JE, Begg AP, Todhunter PG, Adams PL, Fine AE, Caron JP, Adkins AR.To determine the clinical characteristics, short-term outcome and future athletic performance of foals with septic osteomyelitis. Methods: Retrospective clinical study of 108 Thoroughbred foals with radiographic evidence of bone infection that were presented at the Scone Veterinary Hospital between August 1995 and December 2001. Medical records were reviewed and information concerning signalment, the clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings, treatment and outcome was obtained. Racing records were obtained and evaluated for surviving foals that had reached racing age. Results: Mean age of...
Powell SE, Ramzan PH, Head MJ, Shepherd MC, Baldwin GI, Steven WN.The proximal metacarpal region is a common site of origin of lameness in the performance horse. A number of disease entities are recognised as causes of proximal metacarpal lameness but a definitive diagnosis is often elusive. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is hypothesised to offer advantages over traditional imaging modalities in the investigation of proximal metacarpal pain. Objective: To describe clinical and imaging features of cases of lameness in racehorses arising from the proximal metacarpal region in which standing MRI identified 'bone marrow oedema-type' (BMO-type) signal patterns....
Pownder S, Scrivani PV, Bezuidenhout A, Divers TJ, Ducharme NG.In people, specific classifications of temporal bone fractures are associated with clinical signs and prognosis. In horses, similar classifications have not been evaluated and might be useful establishing prognosis or understanding pathogenesis of certain types of trauma. Objective: We hypothesized associations between temporal bone fracture location and orientation in horses detected during computed tomography (CT) and frequency of facial nerve (CN7) deficit, vestibulocochlear nerve (CN8) deficit, or temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO). Complex temporal region anatomy may confound fracture id...
Dakin SG, Dyson SJ, Murray RC, Newton R.There are currently few long-term follow-up data relating to recovery from injury of a collateral ligament (CL) of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and limited information about the effect of associated osseous injury on prognosis. Objective: To describe long-term follow-up results for horses with CL injury, with and without associated osseous injury; and to determine the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ECSWT) or radial pressure wave therapy (RPWT) on outcome. Objective: Prognosis for return to performance for horses with CL-related osseous injury would be worse than for hor...
Meehan L, Dyson S, Murray R.Clinical, radiographic and scintigraphic signs associated with spondylosis of the equine thoracolumbar spine have been poorly documented. Objective: To establish an objective radiographic and scintigraphic grading system for spondylosis lesions; to estimate the prevalence of spondylosis in a population of horses with back pain; and to compare the results of radiography and scintigraphy. Methods: Radiographic images of the thoracolumbar spine from 670 horses with clinical signs of back pain were graded. Scintigraphic images from horses with spondylosis lesions underwent subjective and objective...
Dakin SG, Dyson SJ, Murray RC, Tranquille C.Osseous abnormalities associated with collateral ligament (CL) injury of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint have been documented using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but there is currently limited information about the frequency of osseous pathology associated with CL injury. Objective: To determine the frequency of occurrence of osseous abnormality coexistent with CL injury of the DIP joint and describe the distribution and character of osseous lesions; and to establish if there was an association between osseous abnormality and increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU). Objective: The...
Leahy PD, Smith BS, Easton KL, Kawcak CE, Eickhoff JC, Shetye SS, Puttlitz CM.Computed tomography (CT) data can be employed with respect to determining mechanical properties and has been used to predict parameters such as elastic modulus, yield strength, and ultimate strength of intact bone. Micro-computed tomography (muCT) possesses the resolution capable of detecting apparent bone density in extremely local regions and can characterize the trabecular structure. It has been asserted that this micro-structure is susceptible to micro-buckling and bending, which has a controversial role in predicting the global mechanical properties of bone. The current study measured the...
Cousty M, Retureau C, Tricaud C, Geffroy O, Caure S.The radiographs of 102 French trotters presented with signs of back pain were reviewed retrospectively, and a control group of 16 French trotters without back pain was analysed. The age, sex, type of race, number of starts, earnings and index of performance were recorded. Radiological evaluation was performed from the 14th thoracic (T14) to the third lumbar (L3) vertebra. Impingement of the spinous processes (ISP), periarticular proliferation of synovial intervertebral articulations (PP-SIA) and sclerosis of SIA (S-SIA) were located and graded. Radiological lesions were identified in 10 (62 pe...
Kon E, Muttini A, Arcangeli E, Delcogliano M, Filardo G, Nicoli Aldini N, Pressato D, Quarto R, Zaffagnini S, Marcacci M.The present in vivo preliminary experiment is aimed at testing mechanical and biological behaviour of a new nano-structured composite multilayer biomimetic scaffold for the treatment of chondral and osteochondral defects. The three-dimensional biomimetic scaffold (Fin-Ceramica Faenza S.p.A., Faenza-Italy) was obtained by nucleating collagen fibrils with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, in two configurations, bi- and tri-layered, to reproduce, respectively, chondral and osteochondral anatomy. Chondral defects (lateral condyle) and deep osteochondral defects (medial condyle) were made in the distal...
Winter MD, Berry CR, Reese DJ.Nuclear scintigraphy has been used successfully for various applications in horses in the past 30 years. Many private practices and most veterinary schools have gamma cameras, which are used to image an injected radionuclide in an equine patient. Unique exercise-related demands place specific physiologic stressors on the musculoskeletal system of horses. Horses are often pushed beyond normal physiologic limits because of specific performance stresses; therefore, injury to their musculoskeletal system is common. Skeletal scintigraphy is exceedingly sensitive but relatively nonspecific for deter...
Lang HM, Panizzi L, Allen AL, Woodbury MR, Barber SM.To evaluate 3 drilling techniques for arthrodesis of the equine carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Cadaveric equine forelimbs (n=15). Methods: Limbs were divided into 3 groups (5 limbs each) to evaluate 3 drilling techniques: (1) use of a 4.5 mm drill bit inserted into the joint through 4 entry points and moved in a fanning motion; (2) a 5.5 mm drill bit inserted through 2 entry points to create 3 nonfanned drill tracts (3 drill technique); and (3) a 4.5 mm drill bit used in a 3 drill technique. The CMC joint was disarticulated after drilling, and cartilage and ...
Panizzi L, Barber SM, Lang HM, Carmalt JL.To describe signalment, clinical, and radiographic changes associated with carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC-OA) and to report long-term outcome. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=33) with CMC-OA. Methods: Medical records (1992-2007) of horses diagnosed with CMC-OA were reviewed and signalment, clinical, and radiographic findings retrieved. Owners were contacted for information on the impact of lameness on intended use, response to treatment, progression of lameness, outcome, and owner satisfaction with response to treatment. Results: CMC-OA identified in 39 limbs, occurred predominan...
Schramme M, Kerekes Z, Hunter S, Nagy K, Pease A.Fibrocartilage degeneration is the earliest pathologic finding in navicular disease but remains difficult to detect, even with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. We hypothesized that injection of the navicular bursa with saline would improve accuracy of MR imaging evaluation of palmar fibrocartilage. Thoracic limbs were collected from 11 horses within 6 h of death. Imaging was performed with a 1.5 T magnet using sagittal 2D proton density and transverse 3D FLASH sequences with fat saturation. For the purpose of determining sensitivity and specificity of the MR images, fibrocartilage was classifi...
Moorman VJ, Marshall JF, Devine DV, Payton M, Jann HW, Bahr R.Radiographic diagnosis of equine bone disease using digital radiography is prevalent in veterinary practice. However, the diagnostic quality of digital vs. conventional radiography has not been compared systematically. We hypothesized that digital radiography would be superior to film-screen radiography for detection of subtle lesions of the equine third metacarpal bone. Twenty-four third metacarpal bones were collected from horses euthanized for reasons other than orthopedic disease. Bones were dissected free of soft tissue and computed tomography was performed to ensure that no osseous abnor...
Smith AJ, Felstead CW, Lawson JS, Weller R.Radiography is the most commonly applied imaging modality in equine practice and forms an essential part of the diagnostic work-up of lame horses. Radiographic signs of musculoskeletal pathology are frequently localized at sites of soft tissue attachment, which are often not clearly visible on radiographs. Different lesions carry different prognoses and require a variety of treatments, and a good knowledge of the position of the synovial structures in the distal limb of the horse is essential for practitioners in the interpretation of radiographs. This study describes a new technique for creat...
Nagy A, Dyson S.While low-field magnetic resonance (MR) images can provide useful information in the investigation of proximal metacarpal region pain, an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and comparison with more detailed high-field images are essential to understand the meaning of different signal intensities within tissues. This anatomic description is based on low-field and high-field MR examination of 30 cadaver metacarpal regions of mature horses with no history of carpal or proximal metacarpal pain. Normal MR anatomy is described and is illustrated by high-field and low-field MR images in transverse, sagitt...
Tabar-Rodriguez JJ, Cruz AM, Monteith G, Gordon K, Hurtig MB.OBJECTIVE-To use quantitative ultrasonography to evaluate the association between the speed of sound (SOS) at 9 sites in the third metacarpal bone (MCIII) of racing Thoroughbreds with workload accumulation and the effect that MCIII failure has on this association. ANIMALS-Sixty-two 2- and 3-year-old Thoroughbreds in racing condition. PROCEDURES-Cumulative work index (CWI) was used to calculate total workload (CWI(total)) and also 3 independent CWIs for the various gaits (ie, trot [CWI(trot)], gallop [CWI(gallop)], and race [CWI(race)]) used during training and racing. Speed of sound was monito...
Bourzac C, Alexander K, Rossier Y, Laverty S.Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the femoropatellar (FP) joint are diagnosed routinely by radiography, but lesions located in the trochlear groove or without accompanying subchondral bone changes can be difficult to visualise. Ultrasonography allows evaluation of articular cartilage and subchondral bone in the FPjoint. Objective: To document the radiographic and ultrasonographic appearance of OCD lesions in the equine FP joint, grade ultrasonographic lesions and compare their accuracy in the diagnosis of these lesions. Methods: The medical records of all horses diagnosed with FP OCD ...
Laurencin D, Wong A, Chrzanowski W, Knowles JC, Qiu D, Pickup DM, Newport RJ, Gan Z, Duer MJ, Smith ME.Despite the numerous studies of bone mineral, there are still many questions regarding the exact structure and composition of the mineral phase, and how the mineral crystals become organised with respect to each other and the collagen matrix. Bone mineral is commonly formulated as hydroxyapatite, albeit with numerous substitutions, and has previously been studied by (31)P and (1)H NMR, which has given considerable insight into the complexity of the mineral structure. However, to date, there has been no report of an NMR investigation of the other major component of bone mineral, calcium, nor of...
Bubeck KA, García-López J, Maranda LS.To compare heat generation and time to finish between a new step drill and sequential drilling in order to create a 6.2 mm pilot hole for insertion of a positive profile transfixation pin into the equine third metacarpal bone. Methods: Nine pairs of equine third metacarpal bones from cadavers of adult horses were used. Maximum temperature rise of the bone was measured continuously at the cis- and trans-cortices 1, 2 and 3 mm from the final pilot hole during creation of a 6.2 mm hole using a step drill and sequential drilling with 4.5, 5.5 and 6.2 mm drill bits. Five holes were drilled into the...
Jalim SL, McKinnon AO, Russell TM.A Monteggia fracture is a humero-radial luxation combined with a fracture of the ulna. It is a rare injury, infrequently reported in the horse. This case report describes the surgical repair of such a fracture in a 4-month-old filly.
Ramzan PH.Fractures involving the fetlock region are encountered commonly in Thoroughbred racehorses. Condylar fractures of the distal metacarpus/metatarsus and mid-sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx account for the majority of fetlock injuries during both racing and training and clinical features, management and outcome of these injuries have been well described. Transverse fractures of the distal diaphysis of the third metacarpus, however, are seldom observed and have received little attention in the literature. This paper describes clinical and radiological findings associated with 6 cases en...
Gillen A, Dyson S, Murray R.The results of nuclear scintigraphic examination of the thoracolumbar synovial intervertebral articulations (facet joints) have to date been poorly documented. Objective: To establish an objective scintigraphic grading system for the facet joints; to investigate the relationship between the presence or absence of clinical signs of back pain and increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU); and to compare the results of scintigraphy and radiography. Methods: Nuclear scintigraphic images of the 13th thoracic (T13) to first lumbar (L1) vertebrae were graded subjectively (visual assessment of the im...
Uhlhorn H, Eksell P, Carlsten J.A longitudinal scintigraphic and radiographic study of distal radial physeal activity in 14 Standardbred trotters was conducted to quantify and visually evaluate physeal uptake around the time of physeal closure. Initial intense 99mTc-HDP uptake was seen, followed by a rapid decrease of activity starting at a mean age of 20 months. Mean physeal to distal diaphyseal ROI and line profile ratios compared to ratios of mature horses decreased from 2.8 to 1.4 at the time of radiographic closure at 24-32 months. Ratios then gradually decreased until values of mature horses were reached at the end of ...
Schulze N, Ehrle A, Weller R, Fritsch G, Gernhardt J, Ben Romdhane R, Lischer C. Surgical fusion of vertebral segments is a treatment option for horses with cervical stenotic myelopathy or cervical fracture.Degenerative disease affecting adjacent vertebral segments is a reported complication following surgical vertebral fusion in other species, termed adjacent segment disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of cervical vertebral fusion on the biomechanics of adjacent vertebral segments in the horse. Methods: Neck specimens of 12 horses were assessed using computed tomographic imaging. Range of motion (ROM) was determined by measuring the maximum sag...
Edwards GB.During a 3 year period 20 horses with bone spavin were treated by surgical arthrodesis of the affected joints. The horses chosen for surgery were those with osteoarthritis, but with little or no evidence of periostitis. Whenever possible they were examined periodically during the postoperative period to evaluate the lameness and to assess the progress of ankylosis by radiography. Three of the horses were still lame 12 months later. The remainder returned to normal work, although one subsequently developed spavin in the other hock and was destroyed. The earliest return to soundness was 3 1/2 mo...
Rand T, Bindeus T, Alton K, Voegele T, Kukla C, Stanek C, Imhof H.The authors evaluate the role of low-field strength magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared with sonography in the evaluation of degenerative changes of tendons, with histologic correlation, based on investigations of horse cadavers. Methods: Low-field MRI and sonography was performed in 42 hours specimens for the evaluation of tendons and ligaments. Magnetic resonance imaging included sagittal and axial T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and gradient echo images. Sonography and MR images were evaluated for degenerative changes or tears and the findings were correlated with the histologic results. Re...
Te Moller NCR, Pitkänen M, Sarin JK, Väänänen S, Liukkonen J, Afara IO, Puhakka PH, Brommer H, Niemelä T, Tulamo RM, Argüelles Capilla D....Arthroscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising tool for the detailed evaluation of articular cartilage injuries. However, OCT-based articular cartilage scoring still relies on the operator's visual estimation. Objective: To test the hypothesis that semi-automated International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) scoring of chondral lesions seen in OCT images could enhance intra- and interobserver agreement of scoring and its accuracy. Methods: Validation study using equine cadaver tissue. Methods: Osteochondral samples (n = 99) were prepared from 18 equine metacarpophalangeal joint...
Dyson S.The clinical and radiological features of fractures of the shoulder region in 16 horses are described. High quality radiographic views were essential for an accurate diagnosis. This sometimes necessitated general anaesthesia. The limitations of radiography are discussed. Nine horses had articular fractures of the supraglenoid tuberosity and eight of these were destroyed because of persistent lameness. The possibility of surgical removal of the fracture fragment(s) is discussed and the importance of early diagnosis emphasised. Seven other fractures of the shoulder region are described. The clin...
Engiles JB.The etiopathogenesis of laminitis is complex and involves multiple tissue types. It may be initiated by biomechanical, traumatic, inflammatory, vascular, toxic, and metabolic factors. Although histopathologic changes occurring within the lamellae of experimental models of laminitis are well described and reported, histopathologic changes occurring in the distal phalanx are not, even though gross and radiographic evidence of disease are often apparent and bony lesions could be considered a significant source of pain. Recent scientific evidence indicates that the microenvironment of bone is an i...
Anderson ST, Kidd LJ, Barton AJ, Greer RM.Breeding mares typically foal yearly. Little is known about the dynamics of maternal bone stores during gestation and lactation, the timing of any maternal bone mobilisation, re-accretion post-foaling, or the dynamics of bone metabolism in foals. We measured serum osteocalcin (OC) and serum pyridinoline (PYD) concentrations in 18 mares monthly from 6months gestation to foaling, and in both mares and foals for 4months after birth. From 6 to 11months of gestation, there was no change in mean monthly OC. Serum PYD increased between 7months gestation and foaling. After foaling, mean serum OC was l...
Claerhoudt S, Bergman EH, van der Veen H, Vanderperren K, Raes EV, Saunders JH.The morphological features of the distal border synovial invaginations (SI) of the distal sesamoid bone (DSB) in horses were described by the use of computed tomography (CT). Transverse CT images were obtained on 50 cadaver forefeet from 25 Warmblood horses. Dorsal and sagittal planes were reformatted. The CT images allowed the evaluation of the number, shape, depth of penetration and direction of the SI into the bone. The total number of SI was 295 (mean 5.9). The number of invaginations in a particular DSB ranged from 3 (n = 3), 4 (n = 6), 5 (n = 11), 6 (n = 12), 7 (n = 13), 8 (n = 3), 9 (n ...
Pilsworth RC, Webbon PM.Five horses, all two year old Thoroughbreds, presented with acute onset hindlimb lameness following moderate to fast exercise. The use of a hand-held scintillation detector after Tc99 MDP injection greatly aided the diagnosis of tibial stress fractures in these horses. Radiological findings were subtle, involving only periosteal new bone and callus at the fracture site. In two cases this took several weeks to develop but in three others was present at the onset of lameness, indicating insidious pre-fracture bone pathology. The site of the most obvious radiological signs was constant in all fiv...
Lavoie JP, Carlson GP, George L.Hypertrophic osteopathy was diagnosed in 3 horses and in a pony, ranging in age from 8 to 21 years. There were 2 females, 1 sexually intact male, and 1 gelding. In 3 animals, hypertrophic osteopathy was associated with pulmonary abscesses, bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma, and ovarian granulosa-cell tumor, respectively, and resulted in death or euthanasia. Duration of the condition ranged from 1 to 4 months. In 1 horse, hypertrophic osteopathy was believed to be secondary to pregnancy, and resolved following uncomplicated delivery of a live foal.
Bone reportsJanuary 5, 2023
Volume 18 101653 doi: 10.1016/j.bonr.2023.101653
Grissom SK, Semevolos SA, Duesterdieck-Zellmer K.The objective of this study is to better understand the pathogenesis of early equine osteochondrosis (OC) by identifying differences in gene and protein expression of extracellular matrix components and regulators in normal and diseased cartilage and bone, focusing on the osteochondral junction and cells surrounding the cartilage canals. We expected to find an upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases and a decrease in extracellular matrix constituent expression along the osteochondral junction and cells surrounding the cartilage canals in OC samples. Paraffin-embedded osteochondral samples (6...
Knych HK, Janes J, Kennedy L, McKemie DS, Arthur RM, Samol MA, Uzal FA, Scollay M.Bisphosphonates are potent anti-resorptive agents that have the potential to adversely affect bone healing in equine athletes, and normal bone adaption in young racehorses. A concern exists that bisphosphonate inhibition of normal bone metabolism could lead to increased bone fractures during high-intensity exercise. We found only a single report describing concentrations of tiludronate in the bone of horses, and no studies describing clodronate. Knowledge of the residence time in bone could allow for a better understanding of the long-term effects of these compounds. Our objectives were to dev...
Cartee RE, Rumph PF.The results from water-bath studies on equine muscle in which foreign material had been inserted and then scanned ultrasonographically were compared with the results from scanning of the muscles of horses hospitalized for diagnosis of suspected foreign objects embedded in muscle. The water-bath studies showed that bone, wood, and large tendons all will demonstrate acoustic shadowing, but that subtle differences in the characteristics of the relative hyperechogenicity and acoustic shadows facilitate elimination of certain considerations in the differential diagnosis. Ultrasonography was effecti...
Dutton DM, Watkins JP, Walker MA, Honnas CM.To determine outcome for foals with incomplete ossification of the tarsal bones and to determine whether clinical and radiographic abnormalities at the time of initial examination were associated with outcome. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 22 foals. Methods: Information on signalment, history, owner's initial complaint, clinical findings, whether tarsus valgus was evident, and radiographic abnormalities was obtained from medical records. Radiographic lesions were classified as type I (i.e., incomplete ossification with < 30% collapse of the affected bones) or type II (incomplete ossif...
Mählmann K, Koch C, Bodó G.To compare the practicability, visualization of structures, and iatrogenic damage of direct and transthecal approaches to the navicular bursa for diagnostic needle endoscopy. Methods: Descriptive study. Methods: Equine cadaver forelimbs (n = 30). Methods: Direct and transthecal approaches for insertion of a needle endoscope into the navicular bursa were performed. Video recordings of endoscopic procedures were assessed to determine all structures visualized within the navicular bursa. Number of attempts to gain access to the navicular bursa and total time for insertion and examination were...
Owen R, Maxie LL.Quadriplegia of 4 days' duration in a 3-week-old foal was caused by displacement of the dens of the axis due to a fracture at the dens growth plate. The displacement was reduced and was immobilized surgically. Two months after surgery, the foal was able to rise, walk, and trot without apparent neurologic deficiencies. Three years later, the only defect was a mild gait disturbance in the left hindlimb seen at a canter and a gallop.
Ramzan PH, Newton JR, Shepherd MC, Head MJ.Tibial stress fractures are an important cause of lameness in the Thoroughbred racehorse. While it is recognised that these injuries can vary in clinical presentation and radiographic or scintigraphic appearance, little has been done to quantify lesion severity. By contrast the scintigraphic grading of tibial stress fractures in human athletes is widely reported and assists in the selection of appropriate management regimes. Objective: To determine the relationship between scintigraphic grade, clinical severity and radiographic appearance of tibial stress fractures. Methods: The current study ...
Salamanca-Carreño A, Jordana J, Crosby-Granados RA, Bentez-Molano J, Parés-Casanova PM.This is the first morphological comparative study between local horses and mules from Arauca, Colombia. It was realized to compare morphological traits between both species by analysing 15 adult mules (7 males and 8 females) and 150 adult horses (137 males and 13 females), with an age interval from 2 to 22 years. Data consisted of 24 different body quantitative traits which can explain the body conformation: thoracic circumference, body length (BL), thoracic depth and width, withers height (WH), sternum height, shoulders width, chest width, forelimb cannon perimeter and length, head length and...
Barnes HG, Tucker RL, Grant BD, Roberts GD, Prades M.A traumatic fracture of C2 was diagnosed radiographically in a 1-year-old German Warm-blood stallion. Fracture configuration was difficult to see on survey radiographs. Computed tomography yielded a more accurate assessment of the fracture and facilitated fracture repair with cortical lag screws. Precise screw placement, to avoid spinal cord damage, was obtained by use of computed tomography. Follow-up radiography revealed normal bone healing, and the horse was in dressage schooling 24 months after surgery.
Rakestraw PC, Nixon AJ, Kaderly RE, Ducharme NG.A cranial approach to the humerus was developed for application of a compression plate for repair of comminuted humeral fractures in a weanling foal, a calf, a heifer, and a mature cow. An incision was made from the cranial portion of the greater tubercle of the humerus to the radius. The cranial aspect of the humerus was exposed by retraction of the brachiocephalicus muscle and blunt dissection between the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles. A second plate was applied laterally in the heifer and cow by retraction of the brachialis muscle and elevation of the extensor carpi radialis muscle....
Vulcano LC, Mamprim MJ, Muniz LM, Moreira AF, Luna SP.Monthly radiography was performed to study distal radial physeal closure in ten male and ten female Thoroughbred horses. The height, thoracic circumference and metacarpus circumference were also measured. Distal radial physeal closure time was sooner in females than males, and took 701 +/- 37 and 748 +/- 55 days respectively.
Bigley RF, Gibeling JC, Stover SM, Hazelwood SJ, Fyhrie DP, Martin RB.Volume effects are a fundamental determinant of structural failure. A material exhibits a volume effect if its failure properties are dependent on the specimen volume. Many brittle ceramics exhibit volume effects due to loading a structure in the presence of "critical" flaws. The number of flaws, their locations, and the effect of stress field within the stressed volume play a role in determining the structure's failure properties. Since real materials are imperfect, structures composed of large volumes of material have higher probabilities of containing a flaw than do small volumes. Consequen...
Verwilghen D, Van Galen G, Vanderheyden L, Busoni V, Salciccia A, Balligand M, Serteyn D, Grulke S.To describe a technique for, and outcome after, mandibular osteodistraction in the horse. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: Warmblood horse. Methods: A half ring external fixator was applied on both sides of an osteotomy site performed on the mandible of a colt. A bite plate was placed on the upper incisors creating occlusion between lower and upper jaw. After a 5-day latency period, distraction was applied (1 mm/day) until the overjet was judged normal. Results: Mandibular elongation and correction of brachygnathia was obtained without major complications. Six months after the procedure the ...
Genton M, Vila T, Olive J, Rossignol F.To report the feasibility of standing MRI (sMRI) and document the value of sMRI in surgical planning for surgical repair of limb fractures in the horse. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Thirty-one horses with preoperative sMRI. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for fracture type, application of a polyester cast, sMRI sequences performed, technical variables, and image quality. Fracture geometry and concomitant lesions were compared between sMRI and radiography. The relative value of sMRI with regard to surgical planning was classified as minor (sMRI did not provide additional ...
Jackson BF, Dyson PK, Hattersley RD, Kelly HR, Pfeiffer DU, Price JS.To investigate the relationship between stage of estrous cycle and bone cell activity in Thoroughbreds. Methods: Blood samples collected from forty-seven 2-year-old Thoroughbred mares in training for racing. Methods: Blood samples were collected monthly (in April through September) from the mares. Stage of estrus was determined by assessing serum progesterone concentration. Bone cell activity was determined by measuring concentrations of 2 markers of bone formation (osteocalcin and the carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I collagen [PICP]) and a marker of bone resorption (the cross-linked carb...
Malekipour F, Oetomo D, Lee PV.Subchondral bone microdamage due to high-impact loading is a key factor leading to post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis. A quantified assessment of the mechanical characteristics of subchondral bone at the tissue-level is essential to study the mechanism of impact-induced microdamage. We combined mechanical impact testing of equine cartilage-bone with µCT image-based finite element models (μFEM) of each specimen to determine subchondral bone (including calcified cartilage: CCSB) elastic tissue modulus and local stresses and strains associated with micro-fractures within the CCSB tissue. The ma...
Haussler KK.Pathologic changes have been observed at the spinous processes, intervertebral articulations, and sacroiliac joints in horses. Varying severity of degenerative articular changes are found in many articular processes, intertransverse, lumbosacral, and sacroiliac joints. Pathologic lesions tend to affect multiple vertebral locations within a specimen. Further studies need to be conducted to evaluate the clinical significance of the numerous vertebral and pelvic pathologic findings found in a sample of Thoroughbred racehorses that died because of unrelated injuries. Increased knowledge of osseous...
Stock KF, Distl O.To evaluate whether additive genetic correlations existed between certain aspects of the radiographic appearance of the distal sesamoid (navicular) bones (RNB) or between RNB and other types of radiographic changes in the limbs of Hanoverian Warmblood horses. Methods: 5,157 horses. Methods: Quasi-linear and binary traits were defined by the appearance of canales sesamoidales (CSs) and the structure and contour of the forelimb navicular bones (NBs). Prevalences of osseous fragments in the metacarphophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal (fetlock) and tarsocrural joints and deforming arthropathy in ...
Rose PL, Penninck D.Intraoperative ultrasonography was used in six horses to aid localization and removal of bone fragments (3 horses) and foreign bodies (3 horses). The ultrasound transducer was enclosed in a sterile sleeve containing sterile aqueous gel and the examination was performed after aseptic preparation of the surgical site. Using ultrasound guidance a needle was placed in contact with the bone fragment or foreign body and an incision was made along the path of the needle to expose and remove the object. This technique resulted in decreased operative time and minimal tissue dissection.
