FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Journal of anatomy2014; 224(6); 647-658; doi: 10.1111/joa.12177

Microstructural changes in cartilage and bone related to repetitive overloading in an equine athlete model.

Abstract: The palmar aspect of the third metacarpal (MC3) condyle of equine athletes is known to be subjected to repetitive overloading that can lead to the accumulation of joint tissue damage, degeneration, and stress fractures, some of which result in catastrophic failure. However, there is still a need to understand at a detailed microstructural level how this damage progresses in the context of the wider joint tissue complex, i.e. the articular surface, the hyaline and calcified cartilage, and the subchondral bone. MC3 bones from non-fractured joints were obtained from the right forelimbs of 16 Thoroughbred racehorses varying in age between 3 and 8 years, with documented histories of active race training. Detailed microstructural analysis of two clinically important sites, the parasagittal grooves and the mid-condylar regions, identified extensive levels of microdamage in the calcified cartilage and subchondral bone concealed beneath outwardly intact hyaline cartilage. The study shows a progression in microdamage severity, commencing with mild hard-tissue microcracking in younger animals and escalating to severe subchondral bone collapse and lesion formation in the hyaline cartilage with increasing age and thus athletic activity. The presence of a clearly distinguishable fibrous tissue layer at the articular surface immediately above sites of severe subchondral collapse suggested a limited reparative response in the hyaline cartilage.
© 2014 Anatomical Society.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2014-04-01 PubMed ID: 24689513PubMed Central: PMC4025892DOI: 10.1111/joa.12177Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 article discusses a study on how repetitive physical stress can cause microdamage in the cartilage and bone of equine athletes, particularly in the third metacarpal (MC3) condyle of the right forelimb. The findings demonstrate a progression in severity of this microdamage over time, from mild microcracking in younger racehorses to more prominent subchondral bone collapse and lesions in older horses.

Objective and Sample Selection

  • This study aimed to examine microstructural changes in both cartilage and bone following continuous athletic activity in racehorses. Essentially, the research sought to better understand how and why physical degradation occurs in the joints of equine athletes.
  • The sample included MC3 bones from the right forelimbs of 16 Thoroughbred racehorses, ages ranging from 3 to 8, with documented training histories.

Methodology and Findings

  • The researchers conducted a detailed microstructural analysis of two clinically significant sites: the parasagittal grooves and mid-condylar regions.
  • The analysis found extensive levels of microdamage in the calcified cartilage and subchondral bone, hidden under outwardly intact hyaline cartilage.
  • The study discovered a trend in the progression of microdamage severity, correlated to the increasing age of the horses and the duration of athletic activity. This ranged from minor hard-tissue microcracking in younger horses to severe subchondral bone collapse and lesion formation in the hyaline cartilage of older horses.

Significance of the Study

  • The study’s findings present valuable insights into how chronic overloading during training and racing leads to joint tissue degradation in equine athletes. This could be crucial information for developing preventive measures and treatments.
  • The study also observed a distinct fibrous tissue layer at the articular surface, situated immediately above severely damaged subchondral sites. The researchers proposed this may indicate a limited reparative response in the hyaline cartilage.

Cite This Article

APA
Turley SM, Thambyah A, Riggs CM, Firth EC, Broom ND. (2014). Microstructural changes in cartilage and bone related to repetitive overloading in an equine athlete model. J Anat, 224(6), 647-658. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12177

Publication

Journal of anatomy
ISSN: 1469-7580
NlmUniqueID: 0137162
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 224
Issue: 6
Pages: 647-658

Researcher Affiliations

Turley, Sean M
  • Tissue Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Thambyah, Ashvin
    Riggs, Christopher M
      Firth, Elwyn C
        Broom, Neil D

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Bone and Bones
          • Cartilage, Articular / pathology
          • Fractures, Bone / pathology
          • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
          • Horse Diseases / pathology
          • Horses
          • Metacarpal Bones / pathology
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects

          References

          This article includes 33 references
          1. Barr ED, Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Boyde A, Riggs CM. Post mortem evaluation of palmar osteochondral disease (traumatic osteochondrosis) of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint in Thoroughbred racehorses.. Equine Vet J 2009 Apr;41(4):366-71.
            pubmed: 19562898doi: 10.2746/042516409x368372google scholar: lookup
          2. Biewener AA. Safety factors in bone strength.. Calcif Tissue Int 1993;53 Suppl 1:S68-74.
            pubmed: 8275382doi: 10.1007/bf01673406google scholar: lookup
          3. Biewener AA, Thomason J, Goodship A, Lanyon LE. Bone stress in the horse forelimb during locomotion at different gaits: a comparison of two experimental methods.. J Biomech 1983;16(8):565-76.
            pubmed: 6643529doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(83)90107-0google scholar: lookup
          4. Boyde A, Riggs CM, Bushby AJ, McDermott B, Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD. Cartilage damage involving extrusion of mineralisable matrix from the articular calcified cartilage and subchondral bone.. Eur Cell Mater 2011 May 28;21:470-8; discussion 478.
            pubmed: 21623571doi: 10.22203/ecm.v021a35google scholar: lookup
          5. Burr DB, Radin EL. Microfractures and microcracks in subchondral bone: are they relevant to osteoarthrosis?. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2003 Nov;29(4):675-85.
            pubmed: 14603577doi: 10.1016/s0889-857x(03)00061-9google scholar: lookup
          6. Ellis DR. Sir Frederick Hobday Memorial Lecture. Some observations on condylar fractures of the third metacarpus and third metatarsus in young thoroughbreds.. Equine Vet J 1994 May;26(3):178-83.
            pubmed: 8542834doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04365.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          7. Firth EC, Rogers CW, Doube M, Jopson NB. Musculoskeletal responses of 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses to early training. 6. Bone parameters in the third metacarpal and third metatarsal bones.. N Z Vet J 2005 Apr;53(2):101-12.
            pubmed: 15846394doi: 10.1080/00480169.2005.36487google scholar: lookup
          8. Frost HM. Perspectives: a biomechanical model of the pathogenesis of arthroses.. Anat Rec 1994 Sep;240(1):19-31.
            pubmed: 7810912doi: 10.1002/ar.1092400103google scholar: lookup
          9. Harrison SM, Whitton RC, Kawcak CE, Stover SM, Pandy MG. Relationship between muscle forces, joint loading and utilization of elastic strain energy in equine locomotion.. J Exp Biol 2010 Dec 1;213(Pt 23):3998-4009.
            pubmed: 21075941doi: 10.1242/jeb.044545google scholar: lookup
          10. Johnson BJ, Stover SM, Daft BM, Kinde H, Read DH, Barr BC, Anderson M, Moore J, Woods L, Stoltz J. Causes of death in racehorses over a 2 year period.. Equine Vet J 1994 Jul;26(4):327-30.
            pubmed: 8575402doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04395.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          11. Martin RB, Stover SM, Gibson VA, Gibeling JC, Griffin LV. In vitro fatigue behavior of the equine third metacarpus: remodeling and microcrack damage analysis.. J Orthop Res 1996 Sep;14(5):794-801.
            pubmed: 8893774doi: 10.1002/jor.1100140517google scholar: lookup
          12. Mori S, Harruff R, Burr DB. Microcracks in articular calcified cartilage of human femoral heads.. Arch Pathol Lab Med 1993 Feb;117(2):196-8.
            pubmed: 7678956
          13. Muir P, Peterson AL, Sample SJ, Scollay MC, Markel MD, Kalscheur VL. Exercise-induced metacarpophalangeal joint adaptation in the Thoroughbred racehorse.. J Anat 2008 Dec;213(6):706-17.
            pmc: PMC2666139pubmed: 19094186doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.00996.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          14. Norrdin RW, Stover SM. Subchondral bone failure in overload arthrosis: a scanning electron microscopic study in horses.. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact 2006 Jul-Sep;6(3):251-7.
            pubmed: 17142946
          15. Norrdin RW, Kawcak CE, Capwell BA, McIlwraith CW. Subchondral bone failure in an equine model of overload arthrosis.. Bone 1998 Feb;22(2):133-9.
            pubmed: 9477236doi: 10.1016/s8756-3282(97)00253-6google scholar: lookup
          16. Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Boyde A, Barr ED, Riggs CM. Horse-, training- and race-level risk factors for palmar/plantar osteochondral disease in the racing Thoroughbred.. Equine Vet J 2013 Sep;45(5):582-6.
            pmc: PMC3883097pubmed: 23425384doi: 10.1111/evj.12038google scholar: lookup
          17. Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Boyde A, Riggs CM. Pathological and clinical features associated with palmar/plantar osteochondral disease of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint in Thoroughbred racehorses.. Equine Vet J 2013 Sep;45(5):587-92.
            pubmed: 23418959doi: 10.1111/evj.12036google scholar: lookup
          18. Pool RR. Pathologic manifestations of joint disease in the athletic horse.. In: McIlwraith CW, Trotter GW, editors. Joint Disease in the Horse. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 1996. pp. 87–104.
          19. Pool RR, Meagher DM. Pathologic findings and pathogenesis of racetrack injuries.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1990 Apr;6(1):1-30.
            pubmed: 2187565doi: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30555-2google scholar: lookup
          20. Radin EL, Parker HG, Pugh JW, Steinberg RS, Paul IL, Rose RM. Response of joints to impact loading. 3. Relationship between trabecular microfractures and cartilage degeneration.. J Biomech 1973 Jan;6(1):51-7.
            pubmed: 4693868doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(73)90037-7google scholar: lookup
          21. Radtke CL, Danova NA, Scollay MC, Santschi EM, Markel MD, Da Costa Gómez T, Muir P. Macroscopic changes in the distal ends of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones of Thoroughbred racehorses with condylar fractures.. Am J Vet Res 2003 Sep;64(9):1110-6.
            pubmed: 13677388doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2003.64.1110google scholar: lookup
          22. Reilly GC, Currey JD, Goodship AE. Exercise of young thoroughbred horses increases impact strength of the third metacarpal bone.. J Orthop Res 1997 Nov;15(6):862-8.
            pubmed: 9497811doi: 10.1002/jor.1100150611google scholar: lookup
          23. Richardson DW. The metacarpophalangeal joint.. In: Ross MW, Dyson SJ, editors. Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse. St. Louis: Saunders; 2003. pp. 348–362.
          24. Rick MC, O'Brien TR, Pool RR, Meagher D. Condylar fractures of the third metacarpal bone and third metatarsal bone in 75 horses: radiographic features, treatments, and outcome.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1983 Aug 1;183(3):287-96.
            pubmed: 6604048
          25. Riggs CM. Fractures--a preventable hazard of racing thoroughbreds?. Vet J 2002 Jan;163(1):19-29.
            pubmed: 11749133doi: 10.1053/tvjl.2001.0610google scholar: lookup
          26. Riggs CM. Osteochondral injury and joint disease in the athletic horse.. Equine Vet Educ 2006;18:100–112.
          27. Riggs CM, Whitehouse GH, Boyde A. Pathology of the distal condyles of the third metacarpal and third metatarsal bones of the horse.. Equine Vet J 1999 Mar;31(2):140-8.
            pubmed: 10213426doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03807.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          28. Schaffler MB, Radin EL, Burr DB. Mechanical and morphological effects of strain rate on fatigue of compact bone.. Bone 1989;10(3):207-14.
            pubmed: 2803855doi: 10.1016/8756-3282(89)90055-0google scholar: lookup
          29. Sokoloff L. Microcracks in the calcified layer of articular cartilage.. Arch Pathol Lab Med 1993 Feb;117(2):191-5.
            pubmed: 8427570
          30. Stashak TS, Hill C. Conformation and movement.. In: Stashak TS, editor. Adams' Lameness in Horses. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002. p. 82.
          31. Stephens PR, Richardson DW, Spencer PA. Slab fractures of the third carpal bone in standardbreds and thoroughbreds: 155 cases (1977-1984).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1988 Aug 1;193(3):353-8.
            pubmed: 3182389
          32. Zekas LJ, Bramlage LR, Embertson RM, Hance SR. Characterisation of the type and location of fractures of the third metacarpal/metatarsal condyles in 135 horses in central Kentucky (1986-1994).. Equine Vet J 1999 Jul;31(4):304-8.
            pubmed: 10454088doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03821.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          33. Zioupos P, Currey JD. The extent of microcracking and the morphology of microcracks in damaged bone.. J Mater Sci 1994;29:978–986.

          Citations

          This article has been cited 16 times.
          1. Hill EW, Stoffel MA, McGivney BA, MacHugh DE, Pemberton JM. Inbreeding depression and the probability of racing in the Thoroughbred horse. Proc Biol Sci 2022 Jun 29;289(1977):20220487.
            doi: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0487pubmed: 35765835google scholar: lookup
          2. Johnston GCA, Ahern BJ, Palmieri C, Young AC. Imaging and Gross Pathological Appearance of Changes in the Parasagittal Grooves of Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 24;11(12).
            doi: 10.3390/ani11123366pubmed: 34944142google scholar: lookup
          3. Boyde A. The Bone Cartilage Interface and Osteoarthritis. Calcif Tissue Int 2021 Sep;109(3):303-328.
            doi: 10.1007/s00223-021-00866-9pubmed: 34086084google scholar: lookup
          4. Fan X, Wu X, Crawford R, Xiao Y, Prasadam I. Macro, Micro, and Molecular. Changes of the Osteochondral Interface in Osteoarthritis Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021;9:659654.
            doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.659654pubmed: 34041240google scholar: lookup
          5. Rothschild BM, Wayne Lambert H. Distinguishing between congenital phenomena and traumatic experiences: Osteochondrosis versus osteochondritis. J Orthop 2021 Jan-Feb;23:185-190.
            doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2021.01.006pubmed: 33551611google scholar: lookup
          6. Bapat S, Hubbard D, Munjal A, Hunter M, Fulzele S. Pros and cons of mouse models for studying osteoarthritis. Clin Transl Med 2018 Nov 21;7(1):36.
            doi: 10.1186/s40169-018-0215-4pubmed: 30460596google scholar: lookup
          7. Stewart HL, Kawcak CE. The Importance of Subchondral Bone in the Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:178.
            doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00178pubmed: 30211173google scholar: lookup
          8. Rosanowski SM, Chang YM, Stirk AJ, Verheyen KLP. Risk factors for race-day fatality in flat racing Thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000 to 2013). PLoS One 2018;13(3):e0194299.
            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194299pubmed: 29561898google scholar: lookup
          9. Martig S, Hitchens PL, Stevenson MA, Whitton RC. Subchondral bone morphology in the metacarpus of racehorses in training changes with distance from the articular surface but not with age. J Anat 2018 Jun;232(6):919-930.
            doi: 10.1111/joa.12794pubmed: 29446086google scholar: lookup
          10. Kuyinu EL, Narayanan G, Nair LS, Laurencin CT. Animal models of osteoarthritis: classification, update, and measurement of outcomes. J Orthop Surg Res 2016 Feb 2;11:19.
            doi: 10.1186/s13018-016-0346-5pubmed: 26837951google scholar: lookup
          11. Boyde A, Davis GR, Mills D, Zikmund T, Cox TM, Adams VL, Niker A, Wilson PJ, Dillon JP, Ranganath LR, Jeffery N, Jarvis JC, Gallagher JA. On fragmenting, densely mineralised acellular protrusions into articular cartilage and their possible role in osteoarthritis. J Anat 2014 Oct;225(4):436-46.
            doi: 10.1111/joa.12226pubmed: 25132002google scholar: lookup
          12. Zunita M, Adityawarman D, Iskandar E, Ramadhan RR. Advancement of bottom-up precipitation synthesis and applications of barium sulphate nanoparticles. RSC Adv 2025 Jul 21;15(32):26104-26137.
            doi: 10.1039/d5ra02597dpubmed: 40697450google scholar: lookup
          13. Lin ST, Foote AK, Bolas NM, Sargan DR, Murray RC. Histological and Histopathological Features of the Third Metacarpal/Tarsal Parasagittal Groove and Proximal Phalanx Sagittal Groove in Thoroughbred Horses with Racing History. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 30;14(13).
            doi: 10.3390/ani14131942pubmed: 38998057google scholar: lookup
          14. Tang C, Wen X, Zhang Y, Liao YH, Huang XM, Tang Q, Qiu H, Yang SZ, Zhong J, Chu TW. Unilateral high-riding vertebral artery is associated with asymmetric morphological changes of the atlantoaxial joint: a novel risk factor for atlantoaxial osteoarthritis. Eur Spine J 2024 Jun;33(6):2322-2331.
            doi: 10.1007/s00586-024-08285-8pubmed: 38676728google scholar: lookup
          15. Jasiński T, Turek B, Kaczorowski M, Brehm W, Skierbiszewska K, Bonecka J, Domino M. Equine Models of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis: A Review of Feasibility, Biomarkers, and Molecular Signaling. Biomedicines 2024 Feb 28;12(3).
            doi: 10.3390/biomedicines12030542pubmed: 38540155google scholar: lookup
          16. Ayodele BA, Malekipour F, Pagel CN, Mackie EJ, Whitton RC. Assessment of subchondral bone microdamage quantification using contrast-enhanced imaging techniques. J Anat 2024 Jul;245(1):58-69.
            doi: 10.1111/joa.14035pubmed: 38481117google scholar: lookup
          Subscribe to our newsletter
          Join 99,970 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.