FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Microstructural properties of the proximal sesamoid bones of...
Equine veterinary journal2020; 53(6); 1169-1177; doi: 10.1111/evj.13394

Microstructural properties of the proximal sesamoid bones of Thoroughbred racehorses in training.

Abstract: Proximal sesamoid bone fractures are common catastrophic injuries in racehorses. Understanding the response of proximal sesamoid bones to race training can inform fracture prevention strategies. Objective: To describe proximal sesamoid bone microstructure of racehorses and to investigate the associations between microstructure and racing histories. Methods: Cross-sectional. Methods: Proximal sesamoid bones from 63 Thoroughbred racehorses were imaged using micro-computed tomography. Bone volume fraction (BVTV) and bone material density (BMD) of the whole bone and four regions (apical, midbody dorsal, midbody palmar and basilar) were determined. Generalised linear regression models were used to identify the associations between bone parameters and race histories of the horses. Results: The mean sesamoid BVTV was 0.79 ± 0.08 and BMD was 806.02 ± 24.66 mg HA/ccm. BVTV was greater in medial sesamoids compared with lateral sesamoids (0.80 ± 0.07 vs 0.79 ± 0.08; P < .001) predominantly due to differences in the apical region (medial-0.76 ± 0.08 vs lateral-0.72 ± 0.07; P < .001). BVTV in the midbody dorsal region (0.86 ± 0.06) was greater than other regions (midbody palmar-0.79 ± 0.07, basilar-0.78 ± 0.06 and apical-0.74 ± 0.08; P < .001). BVTV was greater in sesamoids with more microcracks on their articular surface (Coef. 0.005; 95% CI 0.001, 0.009; P = .01), greater extent of bone resorption on their abaxial surface (Grade 2-0.82 ± 0.05 vs Grade 1-0.80 ± 0.05 or Grade 0-0.79 ± 0.06; P = .006), in horses with a low (0.82 ± 0.07) or mid handicap rating (0.78 ± 0.08) compared with high rating (0.76 ± 0.07; P < .001), in 2- to 5-year-old horses (0.81 ± 0.07) compared with younger (0.68 ± 0.08) or older horses (0.77 ± 0.08; P < .001) and in horses that commenced their racing career at less than 4 years of age (0.79 ± 0.08 vs 0.77 ± 0.77; P < .001). BMD was greater in the midbody dorsal (828.6 ± 19.6 mg HA/ccm) compared with other regions (apical-805.8 ± 21.8, midbody palmar-804.7 ± 18.4 and basilar-785.0 ± 17.1; P < .001), in horses with a handicap rating (low-812.1 ± 20.0, mid-821.8 ± 21.3 and high-814.6 ± 19.4) compared with those with no rating (791.08 ± 24.4, P < .001), in females (806.7 ± 22.0) and geldings (812.2 ± 22.4) compared with entires (792.7 ± 26.2; P = .02) and in older horses (<2-year-old-763.7 ± 24.8 vs 2- to 5-year-old-802.7 ± 23.4, and 6- to 12-year-old-817.8 ± 20.0; P = .002). Conclusions: Data were cross-sectional. Conclusions: Densification of the proximal sesamoid bones is associated with the commencement of racing in younger horses and the presence of bone fatigue-related pathology. Lower sesamoid BVTV was associated with longevity and better performance.
© 2020 EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-12-21 PubMed ID: 33244781DOI: 10.1111/evj.13394Google 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

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 examines the microstructure of the proximal sesamoid bones in racehorses, finding that these bones’ density increases with the onset of racing in younger horses, and that lower bone volume fraction (BVTV) is tied to superior performance and longevity.

Methods

  • The researchers studied the proximal sesamoid bones of 63 Thoroughbred racehorses using micro-computed tomography (a type of x-ray imaging).
  • They assessed the bone volume fraction (BVTV) and bone material density (BMD) for the entire bone and for four regions within the bone (apical, midbody dorsal, midbody palmar, and basilar).
  • Generalised linear regression models were applied to discern any links between these bone parameters and the respective horses’ racing histories.

Results

  • The average BVTV of the sesamoid bones was 0.79, and the BMD was 806.02 mg HA/ccm.
  • The medial sesamoids had a higher BVTV than lateral ones, mainly due to differences in the apical region.
  • BVTV was greatest in the midbody dorsal region compared to other regions.
  • BMD was also found to be higher in the midbody dorsal region relative to other regions.
  • Sesamoid bones with a higher number of microcracks on their articular surface or more bone resorption on the abaxial surface had a higher BVTV.
  • Horses with low or medium handicap ratings had higher BVTV compared to those with higher ratings.
  • Horses aged 2 to 5 years had the highest BVTV compared to both older and younger horses.
  • Horses that began their racing career before the age of 4 had higher BVTV.
  • BMD was notably higher in horses with a handicap rating, in females and geldings compared to entires, and in older horses.

Conclusions

  • The proximal sesamoid bones in racehorses become denser with the start of racing at a young age, potentially indicating bone fatigue-related pathology.
  • Lower sesamoid BVTV rates were found to be associated with better performance and longevity in racehorses.
  • The findings of this study could provide useful insight towards fracture prevention strategies in racehorses.

Cite This Article

APA
Ayodele BA, Hitchens PL, Wong ASM, Mackie EJ, Whitton RC. (2020). Microstructural properties of the proximal sesamoid bones of Thoroughbred racehorses in training. Equine Vet J, 53(6), 1169-1177. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13394

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 6
Pages: 1169-1177

Researcher Affiliations

Ayodele, Babatunde A
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Hitchens, Peta L
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Wong, Adelene S M
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Mackie, Eleanor J
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Whitton, R Christopher
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Sesamoid Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • X-Ray Microtomography

Grant Funding

  • Racing Victoria Limited
  • University of Melbourne
  • Victorian Racing Industry Fund of the Victorian State Government

References

This article includes 38 references
  1. Sun TC, Riggs CM, Cogger N, Wright J, Al-Alawneh JI. Noncatastrophic and catastrophic fractures in racing Thoroughbreds at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Equine Vet J 2019;51:77-82.
  2. Johnson BJ, Stover SM, Daft BM, Kinde H, Read DH, Barr BC. Causes of death in racehorses over a 2 year period. Equine Vet J 1994;26:327-30.
  3. Rosanowski SM, Chang YM, Stirk AJ, Verheyen KLP. Epidemiology of race-day distal limb fracture in flat racing Thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000-2013). Equine Vet J 2019;51:83-9.
  4. Wylie CE, McManus P, McDonald C, Jorgensen S, McGreevy P. Thoroughbred fatality and associated jockey falls and injuries in races in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia: 2009-2014. Vet J 2017;227:1-7.
  5. Parkin TD, Clegg PD, French NP, Proudman CJ, Riggs CM, Singer ER. Risk of fatal distal limb fractures among Thoroughbreds involved in the five types of racing in the United Kingdom. Vet Rec 2004;154:493-7.
  6. Hill AE, Gardner IA, Carpenter TE, Stover SM. Effects of injury to the suspensory apparatus, exercise, and horseshoe characteristics on the risk of lateral condylar fracture and suspensory apparatus failure in forelimbs of thoroughbred racehorses. Am J Vet Res 2004;65:1508-17.
  7. Cohen ND, Peloso JG, Mundy GD, Fisher M, Holland RE, Little TV. Racing-related factors and results of prerace physical inspection and their association with musculoskeletal injuries incurred in thoroughbreds during races. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1997;211:454-63.
  8. Martig S, Chen W, Lee PV, Whitton RC. Bone fatigue and its implications for injuries in racehorses. Equine Vet J 2014;46:408-15.
  9. Anthenill LA, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Hill AE. Risk factors for proximal sesamoid bone fractures associated with exercise history and horseshoe characteristics in Thoroughbred racehorses. Am J Vet Res 2007;68:760-71.
  10. Kristoffersen M, Parkin T, Singer E. Catastrophic biaxial proximal sesamoid bone fractures in UK Thoroughbred races (1999-2004): horse characteristics and racing history. Equine Vet J 2010;42:420-4.
  11. Kristoffersen M, Hetzel U, Parkin TD, Singer ER. Are bi-axial proximal sesamoid bone fractures in the British Thoroughbred racehorse a bone fatigue related fracture? A histological study. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2010;23:336-42.
  12. Anthenill LA, Gardner IA, Pool RR, Garcia TC, Stover SM. Comparison of macrostructural and microstructural bone features in Thoroughbred racehorses with and without midbody fracture of the proximal sesamoid bone. Am J Vet Res 2010;71:755-65.
  13. Shaffer SK, To C, Garcia TC, Fyhrie D, Uzal FA, Stover SM. Subchondral focal osteopenia associated with proximal sesamoid bone fracture in Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J 2021;53:294-305.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13291google scholar: lookup
  14. Bani Hassan E, Mirams M, Mackie EJ, Whitton RC. Prevalence of subchondral bone pathological changes in the distal metacarpi/metatarsi of racing Thoroughbred horses. Aust Vet J 2017;95:362-9.
  15. Whitton RC, Ayodele BA, Hitchens PL, Mackie EJ. Subchondral bone microdamage accumulation in distal metacarpus of Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J 2018;50:766-73.
  16. Young DR, Nunamaker DM, Markel MD. Quantitative evaluation of the remodeling response of the proximal sesamoid bones to training-related stimuli in Thoroughbreds. Am J Vet Res 1991;52:1350-6.
  17. Cresswell EN, McDonough SP, Palmer SE, Hernandez CJ, Reesink HL. Can quantitative computed tomography detect bone morphological changes associated with catastrophic proximal sesamoid bone fracture in Thoroughbred racehorses?. Equine Vet J 2019;51:123-30.
  18. MacKinnon MC, Bonder D, Boston RC, Ross MW. Analysis of stress fractures associated with lameness in Thoroughbred flat racehorses training on different track surfaces undergoing nuclear scintigraphic examination. Equine Vet J 2015;47:296-301.
  19. Morrice-West AV, Hitchens PL, Walmsley EA, Whitton RC. Track surfaces used for ridden workouts and alternatives to ridden exercise for Thoroughbred horses in race training. Animals (Basel) 2018;8:221.
  20. Shi L, Wang D, Riggs CM, Qin L, Griffith JF. Statistical analysis of bone mineral density using voxel-based morphometry-an application on proximal sesamoid bones in racehorses. J Orthop Res 2011;29:1230-6.
  21. 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;213:3998-4009.
  22. Norrdin RW, Bay BK, Drews MJ, Martin RB, Stover SM. Overload arthrosis: strain patterns in the equine metacarpal condyle. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact 2001;1:357-62.
  23. Riggs CM, Whitehouse GH, Boyde A. Structural variation of the distal condyles of the third metacarpal and third metatarsal bones in the horse. Equine Vet J 1999;31:130-9.
  24. Harrison SM, Whitton RC, Kawcak CE, Stover SM, Pandy MG. Evaluation of a subject-specific finite-element model of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint under physiological load. J Biomech 2014;47:65-73.
  25. Boyde A, Firth EC. Musculoskeletal responses of 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses to early training. 8. Quantitative back-scattered electron scanning electron microscopy and confocal fluorescence microscopy of the epiphysis of the third metacarpal bone. N Z Vet J 2005;53:123-32.
  26. Firth EC, Rogers CW, Jopson N. Effects of racetrack exercise on third metacarpal and carpal bone of New Zealand thoroughbred horses. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact 2000;1:145-7.
  27. Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Firth EC. Effects of early exercise on metacarpophalangeal joints in horses. Am J Vet Res 2010;71:405-11.
  28. Firth EC. The response of bone, articular cartilage and tendon to exercise in the horse. J Anat 2006;208:513-26.
  29. Martig S, Hitchens PL, Lee PVS, Whitton RC. The relationship between microstructure, stiffness and compressive fatigue life of equine subchondral bone. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2020;101:103439.
  30. Muir P, Peterson AL, Sample SJ, Scollay MC, Markel MD, Kalscheur VL. Exercise-induced metacarpophalangeal joint adaptation in the Thoroughbred racehorse. J Anat 2008;213:706-17.
  31. Boden LA, Anderson GA, Charles JA, Morgan KL, Morton JM, Parkin TD. Risk of fatality and causes of death of Thoroughbred horses associated with racing in Victoria, Australia: 1989-2004. Equine Vet J 2006;38:312-8.
  32. 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;31:140-8.
  33. Whitton RC, Mirams M, Mackie EJ, Anderson GA, Seeman E. Exercise-induced inhibition of remodelling is focally offset with fatigue fracture in racehorses. Osteoporos Int 2013;24:2043-8.
  34. Trope GD, Anderson GA, Whitton RC. Patterns of scintigraphic uptake in the fetlock joint of Thoroughbred racehorses and the effect of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake in the distal metacarpal/tarsal condyle on performance. Equine Vet J 2011;43:509-15.
  35. Plevin S, McLellan J. The effect of insertional suspensory branch desmitis on racing performance in juvenile Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J 2014;46:451-7.
  36. Jackson BF, Lonnell C, Verheyen K, Wood JL, Pfeiffert DU, Price JS. Gender differences in bone turnover in 2-year-old Thoroughbreds. Equine Vet J 2003;35:702-6.
  37. Shaktivesh S, Malekipour F, Whitton RC, Hitchens PL, Lee PVS. Fatigue behavior of subchondral bone under simulated physiological loads of equine athletic training. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2020;110:103920.
  38. Bogers SH, Rogers CW, Bolwell CF, Roe WD, Gee EK, McIlwraith CW. Impact of race training on volumetric bone mineral density and its spatial distribution in the distal epiphysis of the third metatarsal bone of 2-year-old horses. Vet J 2014;201:353-8.

Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Bennet ED, Parkin TDH. Anomalous Incidence of Fatal Musculoskeletal Injury in North American 2-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses in the Year 2020.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 9;13(16).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13162572pubmed: 37627362google scholar: lookup
  2. Noordwijk KJ, Chen L, Ruspi BD, Schurer S, Papa B, Fasanello DC, McDonough SP, Palmer SE, Porter IR, Basran PS, Donnelly E, Reesink HL. Metacarpophalangeal Joint Pathology and Bone Mineral Density Increase with Exercise but Not with Incidence of Proximal Sesamoid Bone Fracture in Thoroughbred Racehorses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 24;13(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13050827pubmed: 36899684google scholar: lookup
  3. Shaffer SK, Stover SM, Fyhrie DP. Training drives turnover rates in racehorse proximal sesamoid bones.. Sci Rep 2023 Jan 27;13(1):205.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-26027-ypubmed: 36707527google scholar: lookup
  4. Basran PS, McDonough S, Palmer S, Reesink HL. Radiomics Modeling of Catastrophic Proximal Sesamoid Bone Fractures in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using μCT.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 4;12(21).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12213033pubmed: 36359157google scholar: lookup
  5. Pearce DJ, Hitchens PL, Malekipour F, Ayodele B, Lee PVS, Whitton RC. Biomechanical and Microstructural Properties of Subchondral Bone From Three Metacarpophalangeal Joint Sites in Thoroughbred Racehorses.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:923356.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.923356pubmed: 35847629google scholar: lookup
  6. Shaffer SK, Garcia TC, Stover SM, Fyhrie DP. Exercise history predicts focal differences in bone volume fraction, mineral density and microdamage in the proximal sesamoid bones of Thoroughbred racehorses.. J Orthop Res 2022 Dec;40(12):2831-2842.
    doi: 10.1002/jor.25312pubmed: 35245393google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,105 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.