Cannon-bone fracture in the thoroughbred racehorse.
Abstract: Abstract
The high incidence of lameness in thoroughbred racehorses in California led to a study which indicated a relationship between track hardness and the percentage of occurrence of lameness. One type of lameness is due to a longitudinal fracture of the foreleg cannon bone (third metacarpal). A study was made to obtain the compressive strength of cannon bonein vitro due to single and cyclical loading, and material properties of bone material in the longitudinal and transverse directions in the bone. A theory for the interaction of bone-marrow fluid with the longitudinal compression predicts a transverse tension in the bone, which, coupled with weak transverse properties, explains the longitudinal fractures that are commonly observed in the racehorse.
Sommaire
L'incidence élevée de boiterie chez les chevaux de course pur sang on California mena à une étude qui indiqua un rapport entre la dureté de la dureté de la piste et le pourcentage d'incidence de boiterie. Un genre de boiterie est dû à une fracture longitudinele du canon de la jambe de devant (troisième métacarpien). Une étude a été réalisée en vue d'obtenir la force de compression du canonin vitro, due à une charge unique et cyclique, ainsi que les propriétés matérielles du matériel osseux dans les directions longitudinale et transversale de l'os. Une théorie pour l'action réciproque du fluide de la moelle des os et de la compression longitudinale prédit, une tension transversale dans l'os qui, associée aux faibles propriétés transversales, explique les fractures longitudinales qui sont ordinairement observées chez le cheval de course.
Zusammenfassung
Haufiges Vorkommen von Lähmungen in Vollblut-Rennpferden in Kalifornien hat zu einer Studie geführt, die einen Zusammenhang zwischen der Rennbahnhärte und dem Prozentsatz, der Lähmungsvorfälle aufdeckte. Eine bestimmte Lähmungsart wird durch einen Langsbruch der Sprungbeinfesseln (dritter Metacarpus) verursacht. Eine Untersuchung wurde vorgenommen, um die Kompressionsstärke des Sprungbeines in vitro bei einmaliger und zyklischer Belastung zu ermitteln und die technologischen Eigenschaften des Knochenmaterials in den Langsund Querrichtungen den Knochens festzustellen. Eine Theorie der gegenseitigen Wechselwirkung zwischen der Knochenmarkflüssigkeit und dem Druck in der Längsrichtung deutet auf die Entstehung einer Querspannung im Knochen hin, welche, zusammen mit der Schwäche des Knochens in der Querrichtung, die oft bei Rennpferden vorkommenden Längsbrüche erklärt.
Publication Date: 1973-09-01 PubMed ID: 4788889DOI: 10.1007/BF02477408Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the relationship between track hardness and lameness incidences in thoroughbred racehorses in California, paying particular attention to longitudinal fractures of the foreleg cannon bone. The study delves into the compressive strength of the bone, its material properties, and potential underlying causes for such fractures.
Understanding the Cannon-bone Fracture
- The study is triggered by the high number of lameness incidences among thoroughbred racehorses in California. One prominent lameness cause observed is a longitudinal fracture on the cannon bone in a horse’s foreleg, known technically as the third metacarpal.
- In trying to investigate this issue, the researchers identified a potential correlation between track hardness and lameness incidence. The researchers suggested that the harder racing tracks could be contributing to the fractures.
Investigating Bone Strength and Properties
- To understand the fractures’ nature, the research focused on finding out the cannon bone’s compressive strength in the lab. The research subjected the bone to single and cyclical loadings, simulating the conditions under which a racehorse might experience while on a track.
- Furthermore, the study also explored the material properties of the horse bone in two directions – longitudinal (length-wise) and transverse (cross-wise). This exploration aimed to see if the bone’s inherent properties might influence the kind of fractures it experiences.
Fluid-Bone Interaction Theory
- The research also proposed a theory about the interaction between the bone-marrow fluid and the longitudinal compression that takes place when a horse runs. According to this theory, this interaction might lead to a transverse tension in the bone.
- This transverse tension, especially paired with weak transverse properties of the bone, could be responsible for the commonly observed longitudinal fractures in racehorses. The researchers suggest that the bone’s weakness when tension is applied side-to-side (transversely) might explain why length-wise fractures occur more frequently.
This research sheds light on possible links between track hardness, bone-marrow interaction, and the incidence of lameness in thoroughbred racehorses, offering a potential strategy for reducing such injuries by adjusting track properties or developing preventive measures catering to bone property weaknesses. However, further studies are necessary to confirm these findings and propose definitive preventive strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Cheney JA, Liou SY, Wheat JD.
(1973).
Cannon-bone fracture in the thoroughbred racehorse.
Med Biol Eng, 11(5), 613-620.
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02477408 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Metacarpus / injuries
- Pressure
- Stress, Mechanical
References
This article includes 3 references
- LEASE GO, EVANS FG. Strength of human metatarsal bones under repetitive loading.. J Appl Physiol 1959 Jan;14(1):49-51.
- EVANS FG, LEBOW M. The strength of human compact bone as revealed by engineering technics.. Am J Surg 1952 Mar;83(3):326-31.
- Bell GH, Cuthbertson DP, Orr J. Strength and size of bone in relation to calcium intake.. J Physiol 1941 Nov 28;100(3):299-317.
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Horan K, Coburn J, Kourdache K, Day P, Carnall H, Brinkley L, Harborne D, Hammond L, Peterson M, Millard S, Pfau T. Hoof Impact and Foot-Off Accelerations in Galloping Thoroughbred Racehorses Trialling Eight Shoe-Surface Combinations. Animals (Basel) 2022 Aug 23;12(17).
- Horan K, Kourdache K, Coburn J, Day P, Carnall H, Harborne D, Brinkley L, Hammond L, Millard S, Lancaster B, Pfau T. The effect of horseshoes and surfaces on horse and jockey centre of mass displacements at gallop. PLoS One 2021;16(11):e0257820.
- Horan K, Coburn J, Kourdache K, Day P, Carnall H, Brinkley L, Harborne D, Hammond L, Millard S, Weller R, Pfau T. Hoof slip duration at impact in galloping Thoroughbred ex-racehorses trialling eight shoe-surface combinations. PLoS One 2024;19(10):e0311899.
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