Pathology of the distal condyles of the third metacarpal and third metatarsal bones of the horse.
Abstract: This study examined material from Thoroughbred horses, the majority of which had been in race training, for evidence of pathology in the third metacarpal (McIII) and third metatarsal (MtIII) bones which might be related to the occurrence of distal condylar fractures. Whole bone samples were studied and documented by macrophotography prior to macroradiography and computed tomographic (CT) imaging. Microradiographs were made from 100 microm thick mediolateral sections cut perpendicular to the dorsal and palmar/plantar articular surfaces of distal condylar regions of McIII and MtIII. Blocks were prepared for morphological imaging using the backscattered electron mode of scanning electron microscopy (BSE SEM). Linear defects in mineralised articular cartilage and subchondral bone were found in the palmar/plantar aspects of the condylar grooves adjacent to the sagittal ridge. These were closely related to the pattern of densification of the subchondral bone and were associated with intense focal remodelling of the immediately adjacent and subjacent bone. Parasagittal fractures of the condyles originated in similar defects. A unifying hypothesis for the aetiopathogenesis of these fractures is presented.
Publication Date: 1999-04-23 PubMed ID: 10213426DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03807.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research conducted a thorough investigation on Thoroughbred horses, especially ones that have been in race training, in search of evidence that could explain the occurrence of distal condylar fractures in the third metacarpal (McIII) and third metatarsal (MtIII) bones. The study employed various imaging techniques and discovered that linear defects on these bones closely related to the densification pattern are also associated with intense bone remodelling.
Study Objective and Methodology
- The prime objective of this research was to search for possible evidence or pathology that could justify the occurrence of distal condylar fractures in Thoroughbred horses’ McIII and MtIII bones. The horses in the study were primarily ones involved in race training
- The researchers used whole bone samples collected from the horses. These samples underwent documentation via macrophotography before proceeding with macroradiography and computed tomographic (CT) imaging
- Microradiographs were created from the mediolateral sections. These sections were placed perpendicular to the dorsal and palmar/plantar articular surfaces of condylar regions of McIII and MtIII bones
- The team also prepared blocks for morphological imaging using the backscattered electron mode of scanning electron microscopy (BSE SEM).
Findings
- The research team discovered linear defects in the mineralised articular cartilage and subchondral bone in the palmar/plantar aspects of the horse’s condylar grooves beside the sagittal ridge
- These defects had a close relationship with the pattern of densification of the subchondral bone and were found to be associated with an intense level of focal remodelling of the immediately adjacent and subjacent bone
- The researchers also noted that parasagittal fractures of the condyles originated in similar defects.
Theoretical Explanation
- Based on their observations, the researchers proposed a unifying hypothesis for the aetiopathogenesis of these fractures
- While the actual hypothesis isn’t detailed in the abstract, it likely revolves around the identified linear defects and their direct relation to the pattern of densification of the subchondral bone
- The hypothesis also likely takes into account the remarkable level of remodelling that the horse’s body undertakes to rectify any damage to these crucial physical structures.
Cite This Article
APA
Riggs CM, Whitehouse GH, Boyde A.
(1999).
Pathology of the distal condyles of the third metacarpal and third metatarsal bones of the horse.
Equine Vet J, 31(2), 140-148.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03807.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
- Fractures, Bone / etiology
- Fractures, Bone / pathology
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horses / injuries
- Metacarpal Bones / diagnostic imaging
- Metacarpal Bones / pathology
- Metatarsal Bones / diagnostic imaging
- Metatarsal Bones / pathology
- Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 19 times.- Daniel CR, Taylor SE, McPhee S, Wolfram U, Schwarz T, Sommer S, Kershaw LE. Relationship between CT-Derived Bone Mineral Density and UTE-MR-Derived Porosity Index in Equine Third Metacarpal and Metatarsal Bones.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 31;13(17).
- Wong ASM, Morrice-West AV, Whitton RC, Hitchens PL. Changes in Thoroughbred speed and stride characteristics over successive race starts and their association with musculoskeletal injury.. Equine Vet J 2023 Mar;55(2):194-204.
- Gibson MJ, Roca Fraga FJ, Bolwell CF, Gee EK, Rogers CW. Race-Level Reporting of Incidents during Two Seasons (2015/16 to 2016/17) of Harness Racing in New Zealand.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 11;12(4).
- 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).
- Physick-Sheard P, Avison A, Sears W. Factors Associated with Fatality in Ontario Thoroughbred Racehorses: 2003-2015.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Oct 13;11(10).
- Physick-Sheard P, Avison A, Sears W. Factors Associated with Mortality in Ontario Standardbred Racing: 2003-2015.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 5;11(4).
- Camargo Garbin L, Morris MJ. A Comparative Review of Autologous Conditioned Serum and Autologous Protein Solution for Treatment of Osteoarthritis in Horses.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:602978.
- Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Phillips CJC, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence and Type of Musculoskeletal Injuries Vary between Two-Year-Old and Older Thoroughbred Racehorses.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 5;10(11).
- Gencoglu H, Orhan C, Sahin E, Sahin K. Undenatured Type II Collagen (UC-II) in Joint Health and Disease: A Review on the Current Knowledge of Companion Animals.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Apr 17;10(4).
- Bellone RR, Ocampo NR, Hughes SS, Le V, Arthur R, Finno CJ, Penedo MCT. Warmblood fragile foal syndrome type 1 mutation (PLOD1 c.2032G>A) is not associated with catastrophic breakdown and has a low allele frequency in the Thoroughbred breed.. Equine Vet J 2020 May;52(3):411-414.
- Brown HR, Peloso JG, Werner WC, Mecholsky JJ, Cohen ND, Vogler JB. A Thoroughbred racehorse with a unicortical palmar lateral condylar fracture returned to training 14 days after surgery: a hypothesis on the role of a single bone screw on crack propagation.. J Equine Sci 2019 Mar;30(1):7-12.
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- 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.
- Maeda Y, Hanada M, Oikawa MA. Epidemiology of racing injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses with special reference to bone fractures: Japanese experience from the 1980s to 2000s.. J Equine Sci 2016;27(3):81-97.
- Dubois MS, Morello S, Rayment K, Markel MD, Vanderby R Jr, Kalscheur VL, Hao Z, McCabe RP, Marquis P, Muir P. Computed tomographic imaging of subchondral fatigue cracks in the distal end of the third metacarpal bone in the thoroughbred racehorse can predict crack micromotion in an ex-vivo model.. PLoS One 2014;9(7):e101230.
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- 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.
- Boyde A. The real response of bone to exercise.. J Anat 2003 Aug;203(2):173-89.
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