Distal forelimb radiographic bone morphology in Thoroughbred foals during the first 10 months post-partum. Part 1: Carpus.
Abstract: The risk of carpal injury in racehorses may be related to the morphology, yet whether carpal morphologies are set from birth or change through growth remains unclear. Objective: To quantify carpal bone changes through growth. Methods: Twenty privately owned Thoroughbred foals born between January 2022 and May 2023 were radiographed bimonthly from birth to 10 months of age. Imprint training was used to take radiographs safely without chemical restraints. Fifteen individual and 11 relative angular carpal parameters were measured using ImageJ on dorsopalmar radiographs of the carpus at zero degrees of vertical and horizontal rotation. Associations with age (growth), sex and the differences between left and right limbs were analysed separately using a linear mixed effects model. Results: Six individual carpal parameters changed with age (radial carpal joint [RCJ], Prx.dor. radial carpal [Cr], Prx.Cu, Dis.dor. third carpal [C3], Dis.pal.C3 and Dis.pal. intermediate carpal), and one was influenced by side, that is higher in the left carpus (Dis.pal.Cr). Seven relative parameters changed with age, and one relative parameter was influenced by side, that is higher in the left (Ra.met-RCJ). The proximo-dorsal bone surface angle of Cr and disto-dorsal bone surface angle of C3 became flatter over time, which may be associated with the re-direction of the load towards the sagittal carpal plane. Sex did not influence any of the carpal parameters, nor did the combined effect of age, side of the limb and sex. Conclusions: Specific individual and relative angular carpal parameters changed significantly over time and some differed between the left and right limb, whereas other parameters did not change. The steeper carpal bone angles achieved proximally with the parameters that did change may improve stability by redirecting the load more medially through the carpus and the proximal and distal bones.
© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication Date: 2024-07-17 PubMed ID: 39018065DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1539Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates how the bone structure in the front legs (carpus) of Thoroughbred foals changes during the first 10 months after birth. The findings from the study provide insights into how certain factors, including age and the side of the body (left or right), can potentially impact these changes over time.
Research Methods
- The study involved 20 privately owned Thoroughbred foals that were born between January 2022 and May 2023.
- The researchers used X-ray imaging technology to examine the bone structure of the foals’ carpus (the equivalent of the human wrist) at two-month intervals, from the time of their birth up to when they are 10 months old.
- The study employed imprint training as a means of safely capturing these radiographic images without the need for chemical restraints.
- The researchers analyzed several individual and relative angular parameters of the carpus with the aid of a digital imaging software known as ImageJ.
- The study used a specialized statistical model to determine if any relationships exist between these angular parameters and various variables, including the age of the foal, the gender, and the side of the body on which the carpus is located (left or right).
Key Findings
- Of the individual angular parameters examined, six were found to change with age. Moreover, one of these parameters was found to be influenced by the side of the body, with higher measurements being noted in the left carpus.
- Out of the relative angular parameters studied, seven changed with age while one was observed to be influenced by the side of the body, with higher measurements recorded in the left.
- The study observed a flattening over time of certain bone surface angles within the carpus. This change could be associated with the redirection of load towards the sagittal plane of the carpus.
- Contrary to what might be expected, the researchers found that neither the gender of the foal nor the combined effect of age, side of the limb, and gender significantly influenced any of the carpal parameters.
Implications and Conclusions
- The findings of this study provide evidence that certain individual and relative angular carpal parameters change significantly over time, while others do not. Some of these parameters also differ between the left and right limbs.
- The researchers suggest that these changes may help to improve stability and combat potential injury, by redirecting load more medially through the carpus and the associated proximal and distal bones.
- Based on the research, it appears that chronological growth plays a much more significant role than gender in influencing the morphological changes that occur in the carpus of Thoroughbred foals over their first 10 months of life.
Cite This Article
APA
Son JK, De Paz P, Kim J, Sanaei R, Seungho R, Bailey S, Davies HMS.
(2024).
Distal forelimb radiographic bone morphology in Thoroughbred foals during the first 10 months post-partum. Part 1: Carpus.
Vet Med Sci, 10(4), e31539.
https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1539 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Science, technology, engineering and mathematics, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
- Department of Veterinary BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
- School of Equine science and Horticulture, Cheju Halla University, Cheju, South Korea.
- Department of Veterinary BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Veterinary BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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