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Journal of anatomy2016; 229(1); 104-113; doi: 10.1111/joa.12478

Does subchondral bone of the equine proximal phalanx adapt to race training?

Abstract: Sagittal fractures of the first phalanx are a common, potentially catastrophic injury in racehorses. These fractures are often linked to an acute, one time, biomechanical event; however, recent evidence implies that chronic exposure to stress can lead to the accumulation of bony changes that affect the structural integrity of the bone and increase the likelihood of fracture. The aim of the study was to compare variations of two common metrics of bone adaptation - subchondral bone density and thickness across the proximal articular surface of the first phalanx in Thoroughbred horses that (1) raced but never experienced a first phalanx fracture (Raced Control); (2) raced and had experienced fracture of the contralateral first phalanx (Contralateral to Fracture); (3) had never raced or experienced a first phalanx fracture (Unraced Control). A total of 22 first phalangeal bones were sampled post-mortem and imaged using micro-computed tomography calibrated for mineral density measures. Measurements of volumetric subchondral bone mineral density and thickness were taken from images at five sites from medial to lateral, in three coronal planes (25, 50 and 75% dorsal-palmar). At each of the 15 sites, measurements were repeated and averaged across 10 adjacent micro-computed tomography slices of bone, spanning 0.75 mm. The magnitude and variance of these measurements were compared between sites and between cohorts with non-parametric statistical tests. Across the proximal osteochondral surface of the first phalanx, the pattern of subchondral bone volumetric bone mineral density and thickness varied with each coronal section studied. The subchondral bone thickness was greater for the central and dorsal coronal sections, compared with the palmar section. For the race-fit groups (Raced Control and Contralateral to Fracture), the highest volumetric bone mineral density was in the central sagittal groove. The volumetric bone mineral density was significantly greater in the sagittal groove in the central coronal section in the raced than the unraced group. The Contralateral to Fracture group demonstrated significantly greater variance of volumetric bone mineral density compared with the Raced Control and Unraced Control (P < 0.0001), with no difference in variance noted between the Raced Control and Unraced Control groups. There was a small (R rank = 0.3) but significant correlation between subchondral bone volumetric bone mineral density and thickness in the Contralateral to Fracture group (P = 0.005). The findings demonstrate that differences exist in subchondral bone volumetric bone mineral density and thickness across the proximal osteochondral surface of the equine first phalanx in horses with different training histories. The findings also demonstrate that the subchondral bone of the sagittal groove of the equine first phalanx adapts to race-training in the race-fit groups (Raced Control and Contralateral to Fracture) with an increase in volumetric bone mineral density relative to unraced controls. Within the race-trained groups, the Contralateral to Fracture bones had a greater variance of volumetric bone mineral density, suggesting that stress-induced bone adaptation had become more erratic, potentially contributing to the aetiology of sagittal fractures of the first phalanx in the Thoroughbred racehorse.
© 2016 Anatomical Society.
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Publication Date: 2016-04-14 PubMed ID: 27075139PubMed Central: PMC5341590DOI: 10.1111/joa.12478Google 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 paper explores the impact of race training on the subchondral bone, particularly the first phalanx, of Thoroughbred horses. It suggests that race training could cause stress-induced changes to the subchondral bone that may boost its density and thickness, possibly raising the risk of sagittal fractures in these horses.

Objective and Sample Collection

  • The study aimed to analyze the variations in metrics of bone adaptation – specifically, subchondral bone density and thickness – across the articulary surface of the first phalanx in racehorses.
  • Horses that had taken part in races without ever experiencing a first phalanx fracture, horses that raced and had suffered a fracture, and horses that neither raced nor experienced a fracture were compared in the study.
  • 22 first phalangeal bones were gathered post-mortem and imaged using micro-computed tomography.

Methodology

  • Using these images, measurements of volumetric subchondral bone mineral density and thickness were extracted at five sites across three coronal planes.
  • These measurements were repeated and averaged over 10 adjacent micro-computed tomography slices of bone, spanning 0.75mm.
  • The differences and similarities in these measurements were compared between the sites and the cohorts using non-parametric statistical tests.

Results and Interpretation

  • The patterns of subchondral bone volumetric bone mineral density and thickness varied across the osteochondral surface of the first phalanx, changing with each coronal section studied.
  • The central and dorsal coronal sections had thicker subchondral bone than the palmar section.
  • Among the race-fit groups, the highest volumetric bone mineral density was located in the central sagittal groove.
  • The volumetric bone mineral density was significantly higher in the central coronal section’s sagittal groove in the raced group than in the unraced group.
  • The Contralateral to Fracture group displayed significantly more variation in volumetric bone mineral density than both the Raced Control and Unraced Control groups.
  • A minor but significant correlation between subchondral bone volumetric bone mineral density and thickness was observed in the Contralateral to Fracture group.
  • It’s concluded that different training histories lead to differences in subchondral bone volumetric bone mineral density and thickness across the equine first phalanx.

Conclusion

  • The subchondral bone of the equine first phalanx is found to adapt to race training in race-fit groups (Raced Control and Contralateral to Fracture) with increases in volumetric bone mineral density compared to unraced controls.
  • Within the race-trained groups, Contralateral to Fracture bones demonstrated a greater variation in volumetric bone mineral density, implying irregular stress-induced bone adaptation, potentially contributing to sagittal fractures of the first phalanx in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Cite This Article

APA
Noble P, Singer ER, Jeffery NS. (2016). Does subchondral bone of the equine proximal phalanx adapt to race training? J Anat, 229(1), 104-113. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12478

Publication

Journal of anatomy
ISSN: 1469-7580
NlmUniqueID: 0137162
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 229
Issue: 1
Pages: 104-113

Researcher Affiliations

Noble, Phillipa
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Singer, Ellen R
  • Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, Neston, UK.
Jeffery, Nathan S
  • Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, Neston, UK.
  • Human Anatomy Resource Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
  • Toe Phalanges / anatomy & histology
  • Toe Phalanges / physiology

Grant Funding

  • Wellcome Trust

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Citations

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