Differences in the topographical distribution of articular cartilage degeneration between equine metacarpo- and metatarsophalangeal joints.
Abstract: The equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints, although having virtually the same geometrical appearance, differ in the prevalence of joint pathologies, such as osteochondral fragmentation, and in biomechanical behaviour. The recently developed cartilage degeneration index (CDI) technique offers a possibility to assess quantitatively differences in cartilage degeneration between these joints and to compare these with known differences in biomechanics and clinical observations. Objective: To compare the topographical distribution of articular cartilage degeneration across the proximal articular surface of the proximal phalanx (P1) in the equine fore- and hindlimb. Methods: In 24 distal hindlimbs from 24 horses, articular cartilage degeneration of the proximal articular surface of P1 was quantified using the CDI. Overall CDI value (CDI(P1)) and CDI values of 6 areas of interest were determined: the medial dorsal surface (mds), lateral dorsal surface (lds), medial central fovea (mcf), lateral central fovea (lcf), medial plantar surface (mps) and lateral plantar surface (lps). The joints were divided into 4 equally sized groups of increasing CDI(P1) values. From an existing CDI database of MCP joints, 24 joints were selected with matching CDI(P1) values to the MTP joints and CDI values for the same areas of interest were determined. Results: In both the MCP and MTP joints, highest CDI values were determined at the dorsal articular surfaces. Values were not significantly different between fore- and hindlimbs. In contrast to the MCP joint, CDI values at the plantar joint margin were significantly higher compared to CDI values in the central sites in the MTP joint. CDI values for the plantar surfaces of P1 were significantly higher than those for the palmar surfaces in the forelimb in joints with advanced stages of OA; and values for the central regions of P1 were significantly lower in the hindlimb compared with the forelimb in joints with severe OA. Conclusions: In both fore- and hindlimbs, initial cartilage degeneration started at the dorsal articular margin of P1. There was a major difference in the spread of cartilage degeneration; in the forelimb both the central and palmar parts are about equally involved, whereas in the hindlimb the plantar parts were significantly more and the central parts significantly less involved. These differences can be linked to differences in biomechanical loading reported elsewhere. Conclusions: This study supports the hypothesis that differences in biokinematics between fore- and hindlimbs are associated with differences in the development of cartilage degeneration and other joint pathologies such as osteochondral fragmentation in the MCP and MTP joints. This information is indispensable for a better understanding of the dynamic nature and progression of these joint disorders and may be of help when monitoring the effects of therapeutic interventions and preventative measures.
Publication Date: 2004-10-06 PubMed ID: 15460075DOI: 10.2746/0425164044877369Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article primarily compares the distribution of articular cartilage degeneration in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints of horses, showing differences that may inform understanding and treatment of related joint disorders.
Objective and Methods
- The main objective of the research is to contrast the distribution of articular cartilage degeneration across the proximal articular surface of the proximal phalanx in horse fore- and hindlimbs. This was done in order to understand why these anatomically similar joints have different pathologies and behaviors.
- The researchers used a quantifiable technique called the Cartilage Degeneration Index (CDI) on 24 horse hindlimbs. They examined six distinctive areas on the proximal articular surface of the proximal phalanx – the medial dorsal surface, the lateral dorsal surface, the medial central fovea, the lateral central fovea, the medial plantar surface, and the lateral plantar surface.
- The samples were divided into four equal groups depending on their CDI values, and these were matched with samples from a pre-existing database for the MCP joints.
Findings
- The highest CDI values were found at the dorsal articular surfaces of both the MCP and MTP joints. The CDI values were not significantly different between the forelimbs and the hindlimbs.
- In contrast to the MCP joint, the MTP joint exhibited higher CDI values on the plantar margin compared to central sites. For joints with advanced stages of osteoarthritis (OA), the plantar surfaces of the proximal phalanx in the hindlimbs had significantly higher CDI values than the palmar surfaces in the forelimbs.
- For joints with severe osteoarthritis, the central regions of the proximal phalanx in the hindlimbs had significantly lower CDI values than in the forelimbs.
- The study noticed that initial cartilage degeneration began at the dorsal articular margin of the proximal phalanx in both hindlimbs and forelimbs. However, in the hindlimb, the plantar part showed more degradation, while the central parts were less affected. These variations correspond to differences in biomechanical loading in different regions.
Conclusions
- The study concludes that differences in biokinematics between the horse’s forelimbs and hindlimbs are related to different development patterns of cartilage degeneration and other joint diseases such as osteochondral fragmentation.
- These results are informative in understanding the progression of such joint disorders and may help in monitoring the effects of therapeutic treatments and preventive actions.
Cite This Article
APA
Brommer H, Brama PA, Barneveld A, van Weeren PR.
(2004).
Differences in the topographical distribution of articular cartilage degeneration between equine metacarpo- and metatarsophalangeal joints.
Equine Vet J, 36(6), 506-510.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044877369 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 12, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Cadaver
- Cartilage Diseases / epidemiology
- Cartilage Diseases / pathology
- Cartilage Diseases / veterinary
- Cartilage, Articular / pathology
- Forelimb
- Hindlimb
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Joints / anatomy & histology
- Joints / pathology
- Osteoarthritis / epidemiology
- Osteoarthritis / pathology
- Osteoarthritis / veterinary
- Prevalence
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Nocera I, Puccinelli C, Sgorbini M, Bagnoli E, Citi S. Ultrasonography of the Metacarpal/Tarsal-Phalangeal Joints in Healthy Racehorses: Normal Appearance, Breed-Related and Age-Related Features. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 3;12(19).
- Novakofski KD, Berg LC, Bronzini I, Bonnevie ED, Poland SG, Bonassar LJ, Fortier LA. Joint-dependent response to impact and implications for post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2015 Jul;23(7):1130-7.
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