Evaluation of a subject-specific finite-element model of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint under physiological load.
Abstract: The equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint is frequently injured, especially by racehorses in training. Most injuries result from repetitive loading of the subchondral bone and articular cartilage rather than from acute events. The likelihood of injury is multi-factorial but the magnitude of mechanical loading and the number of loading cycles are believed to play an important role. Therefore, an important step in understanding injury is to determine the distribution of load across the articular surface during normal locomotion. A subject-specific finite-element model of the MCP joint was developed (including deformable cartilage, elastic ligaments, muscle forces and rigid representations of bone), evaluated against measurements obtained from cadaver experiments, and then loaded using data from gait experiments. The sensitivity of the model to force inputs, cartilage stiffness, and cartilage geometry was studied. The FE model predicted MCP joint torque and sesamoid bone flexion angles within 5% of experimental measurements. Muscle-tendon forces, joint loads and cartilage stresses all increased as locomotion speed increased from walking to trotting and finally cantering. Perturbations to muscle-tendon forces resulted in small changes in articular cartilage stresses, whereas variations in joint torque, cartilage geometry and stiffness produced much larger effects. Non-subject-specific cartilage geometry changed the magnitude and distribution of pressure and the von Mises stress markedly. The mean and peak cartilage stresses generally increased with an increase in cartilage stiffness. Areas of peak stress correlated qualitatively with sites of common injury, suggesting that further modelling work may elucidate the types of loading that precede joint injury and may assist in the development of techniques for injury mitigation.
© 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Publication Date: 2013-10-18 PubMed ID: 24210848DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2013.10.001Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
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- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research paper analyzes a specialized finite-element model (a type of computational analysis method) of a horse’s metacarpophalangeal joint to predict and understand joint injuries that are common in racing horses. The study examines the role of various factors such as load distribution, locomotion speed, muscle-tendon forces, and cartilage properties in joint injuries.
Development of a specialized model
- To understand injuries in the equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint, the team developed a special finite-element model replicating the joint, incorporating detailed elements such as deformable cartilage, elastic ligaments, muscle forces, and rigid bone structures. This is a type of computational model used to predict how an object would react to different forces.
- Understanding load distribution on the joint during normal movement, believed to play an important role in the likelihood of injury, was the primary goal of the model’s development.
Model evaluation and usage
- The model was evaluated against measurements from cadaver experiments and was used with data from real gait experiments.
- The model’s sensitivity to changes in force inputs, cartilage stiffness, and cartilage geometry was studied. It was found to be more responsive to changes in joint torque, cartilage geometry, and stiffness than alterations in muscle-tendon forces.
Findings from the model
- Various factors, including muscle-tendon forces, joint loads, and cartilage stresses, were found to increase as the speed of locomotion increased from walking to trotting to cantering.
- When the team experimented with changing the cartilage geometry, they observed a significant impact on the distribution and magnitude of pressure and stress on the joint.
- The model showed that a stiffer cartilage led to higher mean and peak cartilage stresses.
- Most importantly, the areas of highest stress coincided with the common sites of injury. This correlation implies that this type of modelling can be used to predict the types of loading that lead to joint injuries.
Implication of the study
- This modeling and analysis can provide crucial insight into the nature of equine MCP joint injuries, shedding light on how different factors affect the incidence of these injuries.
- Further use of this model, and development of similar models, is likely to facilitate the creation of methods to prevent injuries in racehorses as well as other animals.
Cite This Article
APA
Harrison SM, Whitton RC, Kawcak CE, Stover SM, Pandy MG.
(2013).
Evaluation of a subject-specific finite-element model of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint under physiological load.
J Biomech, 47(1), 65-73.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2013.10.001 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Australia; CSIRO Computational Informatics, Private Bag 33, Clayton South, Victoria 3169, Australia. Electronic address: Simon.Harrison@csiro.au.
- Equine Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Australia.
- Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Centre, Colorado State University, USA.
- JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopaedic Research Lab, University of California at Davis, USA.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bone and Bones
- Cartilage, Articular / physiology
- Gait
- Horses
- Joints / physiology
- Ligaments / physiology
- Locomotion
- Metacarpophalangeal Joint / physiology
- Pressure
- Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
- Stress, Mechanical
- Tendons
- Torque
- Weight-Bearing / physiology
Citations
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