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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(6); 737; doi: 10.3390/ani12060737

Multibody Computer Model of the Entire Equine Forelimb Simulates Forces Causing Catastrophic Fractures of the Carpus during a Traditional Race.

Abstract: A catastrophic fracture of the radial carpal bone experienced by a racehorse during a Palio race was analyzed. Computational modelling of the carpal joint at the point of failure informed by live data was generated using a multibody code for dynamics simulation. The circuit design in a turn, the speed of the animal and the surface characteristics were considered in the model. A macroscopic examination of the cartilage, micro-CT and histology were performed on the radio-carpal joint of the limb that sustained the fracture. The model predicted the points of contact forces generated at the level of the radio-carpal joint where the fracture occurred. Articular surfaces of the distal radius, together with the proximal articular surface of small carpal bones, exhibited diffuse wear lines, erosions of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone exposure. Even though the data in this study originated from a single fracture and further work will be required to validate this approach, this study highlights the potential correlation between elevated impact forces generated at the level of contact surfaces of the carpal joint during a turn and cartilage breakdown in the absence of pre-existing pathology. Computer modelling resulted in a useful tool to inversely calculate internal forces generated during specific conditions that cannot be reproduced in-vivo because of ethical concerns.
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Publication Date: 2022-03-16 PubMed ID: 35327134PubMed Central: PMC8944875DOI: 10.3390/ani12060737Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 explores the cause of catastrophic fractures in racehorses’ carpal bones using a computer model of the entire equine forelimb. The model was informed by live data and considered movements, speed, and environmental factors to predict fracture points and damages. Although only one fracture was studied, this approach sheds light on the relationship between high impact forces on the carpal joint during turns and cartilage breakdown in the absence of previous conditions. The model aids in calculating forces that cannot be recreated in real horses due to ethical concerns.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a computational modeling of the carpal joint at the point of failure. This was done using a multibody code for dynamics simulations, drawing information from real-life data. Factors such as the horse’s speed, the characteristics of the surface where the race occurred, and the design of the race track’s turn were considered in the model.
  • To verify the computer-programmed model, a thorough examination of the cartilage of the radio-carpal joint of the fractured forelimb was carried out. This included a macroscopic analysis of the cartilage, micro-CT, and histology procedures. This allowed the researchers to identify the exact location and properties of the distress points that led to the fracture.

Research Findings

  • The computer model was successful in predicting the points of contact forces generated at the level of the radio-carpal joint where the catastrophic fracture occurred.
  • The articular surfaces of the distal radius and the proximal articular surface of small carpal bones showed signs of damage. This included diffuse wear lines, erosions of the articular cartilage, and exposure of the subchondral bone. These injurious patterns could suggest possible factors leading to the catastrophic fracture.

Implications of the Study

  • The data from this single fracture case study suggests a potential correlation between the high impact forces experienced at the level of the carpal joint during a race and cartilage breakdown, even in the absence of pre-existing pathology. However, these findings will need to be validated with further studies involving more fractures.
  • The study demonstrates the potential of computer modeling as a tool for predicting and analyzing racehorse fractures that are otherwise impossible or unethical to reproduce in vivo.

Cite This Article

APA
Pagliara E, Pasinato A, Valazza A, Riccio B, Cantatore F, Terzini M, Putame G, Parrilli A, Sartori M, Fini M, Zanetti EM, Bertuglia A. (2022). Multibody Computer Model of the Entire Equine Forelimb Simulates Forces Causing Catastrophic Fractures of the Carpus during a Traditional Race. Animals (Basel), 12(6), 737. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12060737

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 6
PII: 737

Researcher Affiliations

Pagliara, Eleonora
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
Pasinato, Alvise
  • Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7NN, UK.
Valazza, Alberto
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
Riccio, Barbara
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
Cantatore, Federica
  • Pool House Equine Clinic, Fradley, Lichfield WS13 8RD, UK.
Terzini, Mara
  • Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS), Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy.
Putame, Giovanni
  • Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS), Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy.
Parrilli, Annapaola
  • Center for X-ray Analytics, Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
Sartori, Maria
  • IRCCS-Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Complex Structure of Surgical Sciences and Technologies, 40136 Bologna, Italy.
Fini, Milena
  • IRCCS-Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Complex Structure of Surgical Sciences and Technologies, 40136 Bologna, Italy.
Zanetti, Elisabetta M
  • Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
Bertuglia, Andrea
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Eren G, López-Albors O, López Corbalán M, Latorre R. Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of the Equine Palmar Metacarpal Region Using E12 Plastinated Sections. Animals (Basel) 2026 Feb 1;16(3).
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  2. Meistro F, Ralletti MV, Rinnovati R, Spadari A. Objective Evaluation of Gait Asymmetries in Traditional Racehorses During Pre-Race Inspection: Application of a Markerless AI System in Straight-Line and Lungeing Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jun 18;15(12).
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  3. Lang JJ, Li X, Micheler CM, Wilhelm NJ, Seidl F, Schwaiger BJ, Barnewitz D, von Eisenhart-Rothe R, Grosse CU, Burgkart R. Numerical evaluation of internal femur osteosynthesis based on a biomechanical model of the loading in the proximal equine hindlimb. BMC Vet Res 2024 May 10;20(1):188.
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