FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Anat Histol Embryol / Morphometric analysis of the intercarpal ligaments of the eq...
Anatomia, histologia, embryologia2020; 50(1); 151-160; doi: 10.1111/ahe.12613

Morphometric analysis of the intercarpal ligaments of the equine proximal carpal bones during simulated flexion and extension of cadaver limbs.

Abstract: Despite many reported cases of carpal lameness associated with intercarpal ligament injuries in horses, the morphometry, movement pattern and general intrinsic biomechanics of the carpus are largely unknown. Using osteoligamentous preparation of the carpus prepared from 14 equine cadaver forelimbs (aged 9.62 ± 4.25 years), locomotory simulations of flexion and extension movements of the carpal joint were carried out to observed carpal biomechanics and, thereafter, the limbs were further dissected to obtain morphometric measurements of the medial and lateral collateral ligaments (MLC and LCL); medial and lateral palmar intercarpal ligaments (MPICL and LPICL); intercarpal ligaments between radial (Cr) and intermediate (Ci) carpal bones (Cr-Ci ICL); and intercarpal ligaments between Ci and ulnar (Cu) carpal bones (Ci-Cu ICL). The Cr, Ci, Cu and Ca are held together by a series of intercarpal ligaments and move in unison lateropalmarly during flexion, and mediodorsally during extension with a distinguishable proximo-distal sliding movement (gliding) of Cr and Ci against each other during movement. The mean length of MCL (108.82 ± 9.64 mm) was significantly longer (p = 0.042) than LCL (104.43 ± 7.65 mm). The Cr-Ci ICL has a dorsopalmar depth of 37.58 ± 4.14 mm and a midpoint width of 12.05 ± 3.09 mm and its fibres ran diagonally from the medial side of the Ci in a proximo-palmar disto-dorsal direction (i.e. palmarodistally) to the lateral side of the Cr. The specialized movement of the Cr-Ci ICL, which appeared to be further facilitated by a longer MCL suggest a biomechanical function by which carpal damage may be minimized in the equine carpus.
© 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-09-09 PubMed ID: 32901991DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12613Google 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 study investigates the behavior of intercarpal ligaments in horse forelimbs during simulated movements, aiming to shed light on carpal lameness in horses. It provides details on these ligaments’ characteristics and shares novel insights into their role in preserving joint health.

Study Methodology

  • The researchers prepared osteoligamentous samples from 14 equine cadaver forelimbs, aged roughly between 5 and 14 years, which were used to simulate the movements of the carpal joint, specifically flexion and extension movements.
  • After these simulations, the researchers dissected the limbs further to measure four sets of ligaments: Medial and Lateral Collateral Ligaments (MCL and LCL), Medial and Lateral Palmar Intercarpal Ligaments (MPICL and LPICL), and Intercarpal Ligaments both between radial and intermediate carpal bones (Cr-Ci ICL), and between intermediate and ulnar carpal bones (Ci-Cu ICL).

Major Findings

  • The simulations showed that the carpal bones move in synchronization during flexion, moving laterally and palmarly, and during extension, moving medially and dorsally.
  • There is a noticeable proximo-distal sliding movement, or gliding, between the radial (Cr) and intermediate (Ci) carpal bones during these movements.
  • Another observation was that the MCL was significantly longer than the LCL. The mean MCL length was around 108.82 mm while the LCL was roughly 104.43 mm.
  • Morphometric analysis of the Cr-Ci ICL revealed a dorsopalmar depth of about 37.58 mm and a midpoint width of 12.05 mm. The fibers of this ligament ran from the medial side of the intermediate carpal bone to the lateral side of the radial carpal bone.

Implications of the Study

  • The unique motion of the radial and intermediate carpal bones, coupled with the additional length of the MCL, suggests a mechanism by which damage to the carpus might be minimized.
  • This novel understanding of the intrinsic biomechanical function of the equine carpus may prove useful in developing more effective treatments for carpal lameness in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Olusa TAO, Akbar Z, Murray CM, Davies HMS. (2020). Morphometric analysis of the intercarpal ligaments of the equine proximal carpal bones during simulated flexion and extension of cadaver limbs. Anat Histol Embryol, 50(1), 151-160. https://doi.org/10.1111/ahe.12613

Publication

Anatomia, histologia, embryologia
ISSN: 1439-0264
NlmUniqueID: 7704218
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 1
Pages: 151-160

Researcher Affiliations

Olusa, Timothy A O
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic., Australia.
Akbar, Zeeshan
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic., Australia.
Murray, Christina M
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic., Australia.
Davies, Helen M S
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic., Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cadaver
  • Carpal Bones / anatomy & histology
  • Carpal Bones / physiology
  • Carpus, Animal / anatomy & histology
  • Carpus, Animal / physiology
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Ligaments, Articular / anatomy & histology
  • Ligaments, Articular / physiology
  • Range of Motion, Articular

Grant Funding

  • MIRS 666500 / The University of Melbourne, Australia

References

This article includes 26 references
  1. Auer J. Diseases of the carpus. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Large Animal Practice 2, 81-99.
  2. Bramlage LR, Schneider RK, Gabel AA. A clinical perspective on lameness originating from the carpus. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 12-18.
  3. Burn JF, Portus B, Brockington C. The effect of speed and gradient on hyperextension of the equine carpus. The Veterinary Journal 171, 169-171.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.10.010google scholar: lookup
  4. Clayton HM, Chateau H, Back W. Forelimb function. In: W. Back, & H. M. Clayton (Eds.), Equine Locomotion (2nd ed; pp. 99-125). Philadelphia, PA: Sauders Elseivier.
  5. Colahan P, Turner TA, Poulos P, Piotrowski G. Mechanical functions and sources of injury in the fetlock and carpus. Proceedings of American Association of Equine Practitioners 33, 689-699.
  6. Deane NJ, Davies AS. The function of the equine carpal joint: A review. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 43, 45-47.
    doi: 10.1080/00480169.1995.35845google scholar: lookup
  7. Dyce KM, Sack WO, Wensing CJG. The forelimb of the horse. In Textbook of veterinary anatomy (4th ed.; pp. 586-623). Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Elsevier.
  8. Getty R. General syndesmology. In R. Getty (Ed.), Sisson and Grossman’s the Anatomy of domestic animals (5th ed.; pp 34-38). Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company.
  9. Getty R. Equine osteology. In R. Getty (Ed.), Sisson and Grossman’s the Anatomy of domestic animals (5th ed.; pp 225-317). Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company.
  10. Kainer RA. Functional anatomy of the equine locomotor organs. In T. S. Stashak (Ed.), Adam’s lameness in horses (5th ed.; pp 1-72). Philadelphia, PA; Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
  11. Olusa TAO. Radiographic assessment of bone morphometry, alignment and loading stability of the equine carpal joint in racehorses. PhD Thesis, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  12. Olusa TAO, Murray CM, Davies HMS. Radiographic assessment of the equine carpal joint under incremental loads and during flexion. Comparative Exercise Physiology 15(5), 359-370, 1-2.
    doi: 10.3920/cep180044google scholar: lookup
  13. Palmer JL, Bertone AL, Litsky AS. Contact area and pressure distribution changes of the equine third carpal bone during loading. Equine Veterinary Journal 26(3), 197-202.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04369.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  14. Palmer SE. Prevalence of carpal fractures in thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 188(10), 1171-1173.
  15. Park RD, Morgan JP, O’Brien TR. Chip fractures in the carpus of the horse: A radiographic study of their incidence and location. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 157(10), 1305-1312.
  16. Phillips TJ, Wright IM. Observation on the anatomy and pathology of the palmar intercarpal ligaments in the middle carpal joints of thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Veterinary Journal 26, 486-491.
  17. Schneider RK, Bramlage LR, Gabel AA, Barone LM, Kantrowitz BM. Incidence, location and classification of 37I third carpal bone fractures in 313 horses. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 6, 33-42.
  18. Sisson S. Equine syndesmology. In R. Getty (Ed.), Sisson and Grossman’s the Anatomy of domestic animals (5th ed.; pp 349-375). Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company.
  19. Sledge C. Biology of the joint. In W. N. Kelley, E. D. Harris, S. Ruddy, & C. B. Sledge (Eds.), Textbook of Rhenumatology (pp. 1-21). Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company.
  20. Stashak TS, Hill C. Conformation and movement. In T. S. Stashak (Ed.), Adam’s lameness in horses (5th ed.; pp 73-111). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
  21. Stephens PR, Richardson DW, Spencer PA. Slab fractures of the third carpal bone in Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds: 155 cases (1977-1984). Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association 193, 353-358.
  22. Thrall DE, Label JL, O’Brien TR. A five-year survey of the incidence and location of equine carpal chip fractures. Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association 154(8), 1366-1368.
  23. Von Boening KJ. Hyperextensionfolgen im Karpalgelenksbereich. Der Praktische Tierarzt 7, 606-608.
  24. Whitton RC, McCarthy PH, Rose RJ. The intercarpal ligaments of the equine midcarpal joint, part 1: The anatomy of the palmar and dorsomedial intercarpal ligaments of the midcarpal joint. Veterinary Surgery 26, 366.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1997.tb01694.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  25. Whitton RC, Rose RJ. The intercarpal ligaments of the equine midcarpal joint, part 2: The role of the palmar intercarpal ligaments in the restraint of dorsal displacement of the proximal row of the carpal bones. Veterinary Surgery 26, 367-373.
  26. Young DR, Richardson DW, Markel MD, Nunamaker DM. Mechanical and morphometric analysis of the third carpal bone of thoroughbreds. American Journal of Veterinary Research 52(3), 402-409.

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.