Bone mineral density (BMD) and computer tomographic measurements of the equine proximal phalanx in correlation with breaking strength.
Abstract: Despite the fact that bone mineral density (BMD) is an important fracture risk predictor in human medicine, studies in equine orthopedic research are still lacking. We hypothesized that BMD correlates with bone failure and fatigue fractures of this bone. Thus, the objectives of this study were to measure the structural and mechanical properties of the proximal phalanx with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), to correlate the data obtained from DXA and computer tomography (CT) measurements to those obtained by loading pressure examination and to establish representative region of interest (ROI) for in vitro BMD measurements of the equine proximal phalanx for predicting bone failure force. DXA was used to measure the whole bone BMD and additional three ROI sites in 14 equine proximal phalanges. Following evaluation of the bone density, whole bone, cortical width and area in the mid-diaphyseal plane were measured on CT images. Bones were broken using a manually controlled universal bone crusher to measure bone failure force and reevaluated for the site of fractures on follow-up CT images. Compressive load was applied at a constant displacement rate of 2 mm/min until failure, defined as the first clear drop in the load measurement. The lowest BMD was measured at the trabecular region (mean +/- SD: 1.52 +/- 0.12 g/cm2; median: 1.48 g/cm2; range: 1.38-1.83 g/cm2). There was a significant positive linear correlation between trabelcular BMD and the breaking strength (P = 0.023, r = 0.62). The trabecular region of the proximal phalanx appears to be the only significant indicator of failure of strength in vitro. This finding should be reassessed to further reveal the prognostic value of trabecular BMD in an in vivo fracture risk model.
Publication Date: 2013-05-23 PubMed ID: 23691569DOI: 10.2478/pjvs-2013-0001Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) and the breaking strength of the proximal phalanx in horses. The findings suggest that the trabecular region of this bone is a significant indicator of its failure strength, and this could help predict fracture risk.
Research Goals
- The study aimed to establish a relationship between BMD and the risk of fractures in the proximal phalanx of horses, an area that is unexplored in equine orthopedic research.
- The researchers wanted to correlate data obtained from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and computer tomography (CT) measurements with data from loading pressure experiments.
- They also intended to determine representative regions of interest (ROI) for in vitro BMD measurements of the equine proximal phalanx to predict bone failure force.
Methodology
- DXA was used to measure both the whole bone BMD and three additional ROI sites in 14 equine proximal phalanges.
- Following BMD evaluation, CT imaging was performed to measure the whole bone, cortical width and area in the mid-diaphyseal plane.
- The bones were subjected to a manually controlled universal bone crusher to measure their breaking forces. The site of fractures was reevaluated using follow-up CT images.
- A constant displacement rate of 2 mm/min was applied until failure, which was defined as the first clear drop in the load measurement.
Findings
- The lowest BMD was found at the trabecular region of the bone, with a positive linear correlation observed between the trabecular BMD and breaking strength.
- The trabecular region of the proximal phalanx was identified as the only significant indicator of failure strength in vitro.
Implications
- The findings suggest that the measurement of BMD in the trabecular region of horses’ proximal phalanges may serve as an indicator of the bone’s failure strength, ultimately being used as a predictor for fracture risk.
- The researchers recommend further studies to confirm the prognostic value of trabecular BMD in an in vivo fracture risk model.
Cite This Article
APA
Tóth P, Horváth C, Ferencz V, Tóth B, Váradi A, Szenci O, Bodó G.
(2013).
Bone mineral density (BMD) and computer tomographic measurements of the equine proximal phalanx in correlation with breaking strength.
Pol J Vet Sci, 16(1), 3-8.
https://doi.org/10.2478/pjvs-2013-0001 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinic for Large Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Hungary. Toth.Peter@aotk.szie.hu
MeSH Terms
- Absorptiometry, Photon
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Bone Density / physiology
- Cadaver
- Compressive Strength
- Forelimb
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horses
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Tirosh-Levy S, Perl S, Valentine BA, Kelmer G. Erythrocytosis and fatigue fractures associated with hepatoblastoma in a 3-year-old gelding. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2019 Mar 28;90(0):e1-e5.
- Oo WM, Naganathan V, Bo MT, Hunter DJ. Clinical utilities of quantitative ultrasound in osteoporosis associated with inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2018 Feb;8(1):100-113.
- Yamada K, Sato F, Higuchi T, Nishihara K, Kayano M, Sasaki N, Nambo Y. Experimental investigation of bone mineral density in Thoroughbreds using quantitative computed tomography. J Equine Sci 2015;26(3):81-7.
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