Association between findings on palmarodorsal radiographic images and detection of a fracture in the proximal sesamoid bones of forelimbs obtained from cadavers of racing Thoroughbreds.
Abstract: To determine the distribution for limbs and bones in horses with fractures of the proximal sesamoid bones and relationships with findings on palmarodorsal radiographic images. Methods: Proximal sesamoid bones obtained from both forelimbs of cadavers of 328 racing Thoroughbreds. Methods: Osteophytes; large vascular channels; and fracture location, orientation, configuration, and margin distinctness were categorized by use of high-detail contact palmarodorsal radiographs. Distributions of findings were determined. Relationships between radiographic findings and fracture characteristics were examined by use of chi2 and logistic regression techniques. Results: Fractures were detected in 136 (41.5%) horses. Biaxial fractures were evident in 109 (80%) horses with a fracture. Osteophytes and large vascular channels were evident in 266 (81%) and 325 (99%) horses, respectively. Medial bones typically had complete transverse or split transverse simple fractures, indistinct fracture margins, > 1 vascular channel that was > 1 mm in width, and osteophytes in abaxial wing and basilar middle or basilar abaxial locations. Lateral bones typically had an oblique fracture and distinct fracture margins. Odds of proximal sesamoid bone fracture were approximately 2 to 5 times higher in bones without radiographic evidence of osteophytes or large vascular channels, respectively. Conclusions: Biaxial fractures of proximal sesamoid bones were common in cadavers of racing Thoroughbreds. Differences between medial and lateral bones for characteristics associated with fracture may relate to differences in fracture pathogeneses for these bones. Osteophytes and vascular channels were common findings; however, fractures were less likely to occur in bones with these features.
Publication Date: 2006-05-03 PubMed ID: 16649922DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.67.5.858Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article investigates the relationship between the fractures in the proximal sesamoid bones of forelimbs of racing Thoroughbreds and their radiographic images. It revealed a significant occurrence of fractures in these horses and a distinct variation in the radiographic features between the medial and lateral bones.
Methods
- The study utilized the proximal sesamoid bones from the forelimbs of the cadavers of 328 racing Thoroughbreds.
- High-definition palmarodorsal radiographs were used to categorize the osteophytes (bony projections), large vascular channels, fracture location, orientation, and configuration as well as the clarity of fracture margins.
- The research used chi2 and logistic regression techniques to examine the relationships between the fracture characteristics and the radiographic findings.
Results
- Out of the total number of horses studied, fractures were detected in 136 (41.5%), out of which 80% had biaxial fractures.
- Osteophytes and large vascular channels were notable in 266 (81%) and 325 (99%) horses, respectively.
- The common patterns revealed through the radiographs showed that medial bones usually had complete transverse or simple transverse fractures, indistinct fracture margins, more than one vascular channel that was wider than 1mm, and osteophytes located in the abaxial wing and basilar middle or basilar abaxial locations.
- Lateral bones, on the other hand, often had distinct fracture margins and an oblique fracture.
- The research also found out that the odds of proximal sesamoid bone fracture were roughly 2 to 5 times higher in bones without radiographic evidence of osteophytes or large vascular channels.
Conclusion
- The occurrence of biaxial fractures in the proximal sesamoid bones was common in the cadavers of racing Thoroughbreds studied.
- Differences in characteristics associated with fractures between the medial and lateral bones could be linked to variations in the pathogeneses of fractures in these bones.
- Despite the common occurrence of osteophytes and vascular channels, fractures were less likely to take place in bones with these features.
Cite This Article
APA
Anthenill LA, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Hill AE, Lee CM, Anderson ML, Barr BC, Read DH, Johnson BJ, Woods LW, Daft BM, Kinde H, Moore JD, Farman CA, Odani JS, Pesavento PA, Uzal FA, Case JT, Ardans AA.
(2006).
Association between findings on palmarodorsal radiographic images and detection of a fracture in the proximal sesamoid bones of forelimbs obtained from cadavers of racing Thoroughbreds.
Am J Vet Res, 67(5), 858-868.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.67.5.858 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Age Distribution
- Animals
- Cadaver
- Female
- Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
- Forelimb / injuries
- Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Male
- Radiography
- Sesamoid Bones / diagnostic imaging
- Sesamoid Bones / injuries
- Sex Distribution
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Noordwijk KJ, Chen L, Ruspi BD, Schurer S, Papa B, Fasanello DC, McDonough SP, Palmer SE, Porter IR, Basran PS, Donnelly E, Reesink HL. Metacarpophalangeal Joint Pathology and Bone Mineral Density Increase with Exercise but Not with Incidence of Proximal Sesamoid Bone Fracture in Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 24;13(5).
- Shaffer SK, Stover SM, Fyhrie DP. Training drives turnover rates in racehorse proximal sesamoid bones. Sci Rep 2023 Jan 27;13(1):205.
- Shaffer SK, Garcia TC, Stover SM, Fyhrie DP. Exercise history predicts focal differences in bone volume fraction, mineral density and microdamage in the proximal sesamoid bones of Thoroughbred racehorses. J Orthop Res 2022 Dec;40(12):2831-2842.
- Johnston GCA, Ahern BJ, Palmieri C, Young AC. Imaging and Gross Pathological Appearance of Changes in the Parasagittal Grooves of Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 24;11(12).
- Samol MA, Uzal FA, Blanchard PC, Arthur RM, Stover SM. Sudden death caused by spinal cord injury associated with vertebral fractures and fetlock failure in a Thoroughbred racehorse. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021 Jul;33(4):788-791.
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