Ex vivo calibration and validation of in vivo equine bone strain measures.
Abstract: Data are required to confirm that strain gauges recording high bone strains in Thoroughbred racehorses provide an accurate record of bone strain. Objective: To test the accuracy and reliability of very high in vivo strain recordings made during fast exercise in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Strains were recorded during exercise from rosette gauges implanted onto the mid-shaft dorsal cortex of each third metacarpal bone (MC3) in 6 yearling and 6 mature Thoroughbreds in a previous experiment. Bulk elastic modulus (E(US)) was calculated from ultrasound speed and single photon absorptiometry measures. Each cleaned MC3 with the original gauge in situ and new gauges placed in a region of strain similarity (as shown by photoelastic coating) was loaded in a materials testing system (MTS) and strains recorded during loading. Elastic moduli were calculated from strain measures from new rosette gauges on the medial, dorsal, lateral and palmar surfaces (E(m); E(d); E(El); E(p), and bulk moduli calculated from the displacement of the MTS machine heads during loading (Ebt). Peak loads were increased incrementally to failure. Results: Of 14 original gauges tested against new gauges, 11 recorded strains from 80-115% of the new gauges and 3 showed reduced function (31-40%). Ebt were similar to E(m), and E(US) were similar to E(l) and not significantly different from Ed. Maximum strains at yield were recorded by the medial gauges and ranged from -7500 to -16,000 microepsilon. Conclusions: Similarities between recordings from gauges used in vivo and new gauges confirmed the reliability and likely accuracy (or possible underestimate) of very high strains (exceeding -6000 microepsilon) recorded in exercising Thoroughbred racehorses. The similarity between E(bt) and E(m) confirms that the gauges measured the true distortion of the bone in the MTS. These results confirm that mammalian bone may withstand much greater compressive loads than -4000 microepsilon under some conditions at least.
Publication Date: 2009-05-28 PubMed ID: 19469225DOI: 10.2746/042516409x396317Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article involves checking the accuracy and reliability of strain gauges which were used to record high bone strains in Thoroughbred racehorses during fast exercise. The study supports the idea that mammal bones can withstand more compressive loads than previously presumed.
Objectives and Methodology
- The study aimed to verify whether the strain gauges recording high bone strains in Thoroughbred racehorses provide a precise and dependable record of bone strain, specifically during fast exercise.
- The researchers used strain gauges implanted on the mid-shaft dorsal cortex of each third metacarpal bone (MC3) in 6 yearling and 6 mature Thoroughbreds from a previous experiment.
- Bulk elastic modulus was calculated using methods including ultrasound speed and single photon absorptiometry measures.
- Each cleaned MC3 with the original gauge in situ and new gauges were positioned in a region of strain similarity and tested in a materials testing system (MTS). Strains were recorded during loading.
- Peak loads were incrementally increased until the point of failure.
Results and Conclusions
- Out of 14 original gauges tested against new gauges, 11 recorded strains from 80-115% of the new gauges while 3 showed reduced function (31-40%). This confirmed the reliability and likely accuracy of very high strain recordings during exercise in Thoroughbred racehorses.
- The similarity between bulk moduli calculated from the displacement of the MTS machine heads during loading and elastic moduli calculated from strain measures confirmed that the gauges measured the true distortion of the bone in the MTS.
- The highest strains recorded by the medial gauges ranged from -7500 to -16,000 microepsilon.
- In conclusion, the research confirmed that mammalian bones might endure much greater compressive loads than -4000 microepsilon under certain conditions, a discovery implying that mammal bones are more resilient than previously thought.
Cite This Article
APA
Davies HM.
(2009).
Ex vivo calibration and validation of in vivo equine bone strain measures.
Equine Vet J, 41(3), 225-228.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409x396317 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena / physiology
- Bone and Bones / physiology
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Forelimb / physiology
- Gait / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Motor Activity / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Weight-Bearing / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Milgrom C, Voloshin A, Novack L, Milgrom Y, Ekenman I, Finestone AS. In vivo strains at the middle and distal thirds of the tibia during exertional activities.. Bone Rep 2022 Jun;16:101170.
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