Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measurements of the Proximal Palmar Cortex of the Third Metacarpal Bone and the Suspensory Ligament in Non-Lame Endurance Horses before and after Six Months of Training.
Abstract: Proximal metacarpal injury is common in endurance horses, yet exercise-induced changes in this region have not been described. This study aimed to document objective exercise-induced changes in the proximal palmar cortex of the third metacarpal bone (PcMcIII) and the suspensory ligament (SL). Low-field magnetic resonance (MR) images of both proximal metacarpal regions were obtained from six novice and six experienced horses, before and after six months of endurance training. Measurements were acquired in T1-weighted transverse MR images at four levels and included the thickness of the PcMcIII, the mediolateral width, and the dorsopalmar depth of the entire SL and its lobes. We used -tests or their nonparametric equivalents to compare the measurements from the two examinations and both novice and experienced horses. The medial aspect of PcMcIII was significantly thicker in experienced horses than in novice horses at 2 and 3 cm distal to the carpometacarpal joint. This likely reflects the cumulative effect of long-term exercise and possibly age. The PcMcIII was significantly thicker medially than laterally. There was no significant difference between pre- and post-season measurements. Six months of endurance training were not sufficient to induce changes in the thickness of PcMcIII or the SL that are detectable in low-field MR images.
Publication Date: 2023-03-20 PubMed ID: 36978646PubMed Central: PMC10044202DOI: 10.3390/ani13061106Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study examined the effect of six months of endurance training on the third metacarcapal bone (thick bone in the horse’s foreleg) and suspensory ligament (ligament that supports a horse’s weight during movement) in endurance horses. The researchers utilized magnetic resonance imaging to capture changes and found that while there were differences in thickness in experienced versus novice horses, six months of training did not lead to significant changes.
Research Methodology
The research team collected low-field magnetic resonance (MR) images from both novice and experienced horses to study the potential impacts of endurance training on the third metacarpal bone (PcMcIII) and the suspensory ligament (SL). These images were obtained before and after a six-month training period and measured at four different levels. The researchers specifically measured:
- The thickness of the PcMcIII
- The mediolateral width (width from the center to the sides) of the SL
- The dorsopalmar depth (depth from the top and bottom) of the SL and its lobes
Main Findings
The research analysis showed that the medial aspect of PcMcIII (closer to the middle) was significantly thicker in the experienced horses than in novice ones, particularly at certain points. This difference was likely due to the cumulative effects of long-term training and potentially also age-related factors. The PcMcIII was also noted to be thicker on the medial side than the lateral side (away from the middle).
Impact of Training
On the overarching question of the research – whether endurance training impacts the PcMcIII and the SL – the study concluded that six months of such training did not demonstrate significant changes detectable via MR images in these entities. While experienced horses showed variations in structural thickness, this did not appear to be a direct result of the short-term training, suggesting a more extended period of training or lifelong exercise would be necessary to cause detectable structural changes.
Limitations
This research is potentially limited by the relatively small sample size, which comprised six novice and six experienced horses. Further research could benefit from a larger and more diverse sample size, to provide more robust and generalizable findings. Also, although the study did not find significant changes after six months of training, it does not conclude that such changes are impossible. It suggests that such changes might require longer training periods or different intensity levels.
Cite This Article
APA
Likon I, Dyson S, Nagy A.
(2023).
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measurements of the Proximal Palmar Cortex of the Third Metacarpal Bone and the Suspensory Ligament in Non-Lame Endurance Horses before and after Six Months of Training.
Animals (Basel), 13(6), 1106.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13061106 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Department and Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, 2225 Dóramajor Üllő, Hungary.
- The Cottage, Church Road, Market Weston, Diss IP22 2NX, UK.
- Equine Department and Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, 2225 Dóramajor Üllő, Hungary.
Grant Funding
- EFOP-3.6.3- 355 VEKOP-16-2017-00005 / European Social Fund
- none / Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging
- none / National Research, Development and Innovation Office, Hungary
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Szabó L, Pollard D, Nagy A. Computed tomographic measurements in 110 front hooves of non-lame Thoroughbred racehorses and Warmblood showjumpers. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1328-1340.
- van Veggel ECS, Vanderperren K, Selberg KT, Bergman HJ, Hoogelander B. The Evolution of Lesions on Follow-Up Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Proximal Metacarpal Region in Non-Racing Sport Horses That Returned to Work (2015-2023). Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 8;14(12).
- Nagy A, Dyson S. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomographic and Radiographic Findings in the Metacarpophalangeal Joints of 31 Warmblood Showjumpers in Full Work and Competing Regularly. Animals (Basel) 2024 May 9;14(10).
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