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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Biomechanical and Microstructural Properties of Subchondral ...
Frontiers in veterinary science2022; 9; 923356; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.923356

Biomechanical and Microstructural Properties of Subchondral Bone From Three Metacarpophalangeal Joint Sites in Thoroughbred Racehorses.

Abstract: Fatigue-induced subchondral bone (SCB) injury is common in racehorses. Understanding how subchondral microstructure and microdamage influence mechanical properties is important for developing injury prevention strategies. Mechanical properties of the disto-palmar third metacarpal condyle (MCIII) correlate poorly with microstructure, and it is unknown whether the properties of other sites within the metacarpophalangeal (fetlock) joint are similarly complex. We aimed to investigate the mechanical and structural properties of equine SCB from specimens with minimal evidence of macroscopic disease. Three sites within the metacarpophalangeal joint were examined: the disto-palmar MCIII, disto-dorsal MCIII, and proximal sesamoid bone. Two regions of interest within the SCB were compared, a 2 mm superficial and an underlying 2 mm deep layer. Cartilage-bone specimens underwent micro-computed tomography, then cyclic compression for 100 cycles at 2 Hz. Disto-dorsal MCIII specimens were loaded to 30 MPa ( = 10), while disto-palmar MCIII ( = 10) and proximal sesamoid ( = 10) specimens were loaded to 40 MPa. Digital image correlation determined local strains. Specimens were stained with lead-uranyl acetate for volumetric microdamage quantification. The dorsal MCIII SCB had lower bone volume fraction (BVTV), bone mineral density (BMD), and stiffness compared to the palmar MCIII and sesamoid bone ( < 0.05). Superficial SCB had higher BVTV and lower BMD than deeper SCB ( < 0.05), except at the palmar MCIII site where there was no difference in BVTV between depths ( = 0.419). At all sites, the deep bone was stiffer ( < 0.001), although the superficial to deep gradient was smaller in the dorsal MCIII. Hysteresis (energy loss) was greater superficially in palmar MCIII and sesamoid ( < 0.001), but not dorsal MCIII specimens ( = 0.118). The stiffness increased with cyclic loading in total cartilage-bone specimens ( < 0.001), but not in superficial and deep layers of the bone, whereas hysteresis decreased with the cycle for all sites and layers ( < 0.001). Superficial equine SCB is uniformly less stiff than deeper bone despite non-uniform differences in bone density and damage levels. The more compliant superficial layer has an important role in energy dissipation, but whether this is a specific adaptation or a result of microdamage accumulation is not clear.
Copyright © 2022 Pearce, Hitchens, Malekipour, Ayodele, Lee and Whitton.
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Publication Date: 2022-06-28 PubMed ID: 35847629PubMed Central: PMC9277662DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.923356Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research focuses on investigating the structural and mechanical properties of subchondral bone (SCB) in racehorses’ metacarpophalangeal joints to understand the influence of bone microstructure and microdamage on these properties. This knowledge could help in creating strategies that prevent subchondral bone injury.

Objective of the Research

  • The study was aimed at exploring the mechanical and structural attributes of racehorse’s SCB from spots with minimal evidence of macroscopic disease.

Methodology

  • The study examined three sites within the metacarpophalangeal joint – the disto-palmar MCIII, disto-dorsal MCIII, and proximal sesamoid bone. These sites were compared for two regions of interest within the SCB, a 2 mm superficial and an underlying 2 mm deep layer.
  • Cartilage-bone samples underwent micro-computed tomography scanning, followed by cyclic compression testing. The local strains were determined through digital image correlation.
  • The samples were stained using lead-uranyl acetate for volumetric microdamage quantification.

Findings

  • The findings revealed that the dorsal MCIII SCB possessed lower bone volume fraction, bone mineral density, and stiffness compared to the palmar MCIII and sesamoid bone.
  • The superficial SCB had higher bone volume and lower mineral density than the deeper SCB, except at the palmar MCIII site where there was no difference in bone volume between depths.
  • At all sites, the deep bone was stiffer, although the superficial to deep gradient was smaller in the dorsal MCIII.
  • The phenomenon of hysteresis, or energy loss, was higher superficially in palmar MCIII and sesamoid, but not dorsal MCIII samples.
  • While the stiffness increased with cyclic loading in total cartilage-bone samples, it did not do so in the superficial and deep layers of the bone. In contrast, hysteresis decreased with the cycle for all sites and layers.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that superficial equine SCB is uniformly less stiff than deeper bone despite non-uniform differences in bone density and damage levels. The more compliant superficial layer plays a vital role in energy dissipation. However, it is unclear whether this is a specific adaptation or a result of microdamage accumulation.

Cite This Article

APA
Pearce DJ, Hitchens PL, Malekipour F, Ayodele B, Lee PVS, Whitton RC. (2022). Biomechanical and Microstructural Properties of Subchondral Bone From Three Metacarpophalangeal Joint Sites in Thoroughbred Racehorses. Front Vet Sci, 9, 923356. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.923356

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Pages: 923356
PII: 923356

Researcher Affiliations

Pearce, Duncan J
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia.
Hitchens, Peta L
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia.
Malekipour, Fatemeh
  • Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
Ayodele, Babatunde
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia.
Lee, Peter Vee Sin
  • Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
Whitton, R Chris
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
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  2. Ducrocq M, Kamus L, Richard H, Beauchamp G, Janvier V, Laverty S. Micro-computed tomography reveals high-density mineralised protrusions and microstructural lesions in equine stifle joint articular cartilage. Equine Vet J 2025 Jan;57(1):203-216.
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  3. Ayodele BA, Malekipour F, Pagel CN, Mackie EJ, Whitton RC. Assessment of subchondral bone microdamage quantification using contrast-enhanced imaging techniques. J Anat 2024 Jul;245(1):58-69.
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