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Stiffness and energy dissipation across the superficial and deeper third metacarpal subchondral bone in Thoroughbred racehorses under high-rate compression.
Abstract: Subchondral bone injury due to high magnitude and repetition of compressive loading is common in humans and athletic animals such as Thoroughbred racehorses. Repeated loading of the joint surface may alter the subchondral bone microstructure and initiate microdamage in the bone adjacent to the articular cartilage. Understanding the relationship between microdamage, microstructure and mechanical properties of the subchondral bone adjacent to the articular cartilage is, therefore, essential in understanding the mechanism of subchondral bone injury. In this study, we used high-resolution µCT scanning, a digital image-based strain measurement technique, and mechanical testing to evaluate the three-dimensional pre-existing microcracks, bone volume fraction (BVF) and bone mineral density (BMD), and mechanical properties (stiffness and hysteresis) of subchondral bone (n = 10) from the distopalmar aspect of the third metacarpal (MC3) condyles of Thoroughbred racehorses under high-rate compression. We specifically compared the properties of two regions of interest in the subchondral bone: the 2 mm superficial subchondral bone (SSB) and its underlying 2 mm deep subchondral bone (DSB). The DSB region was 3.0 ± 1.2 times stiffer than its overlying SSB, yet it dissipated much less energy compared to the SSB. There was no correlation between structural properties (BVF and BMD) and mechanical properties (stiffness and energy loss), except for BMD and energy loss in SSB. The lower stiffness of the most superficial subchondral bone in the distal metacarpal condyles may protect the overlying cartilage and the underlying subchondral bone from damage under the high-rate compression experienced during galloping. However, repeated high-rate loading over time has the potential to inhibit bone turnover and induce bone fatigue, consistent with the high prevalence of subchondral bone injury and fractures in athletic humans and racehorses.
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2018-05-22 PubMed ID: 29852352DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.05.031Google 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.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigates the mechanical properties of subchondral bone in Thoroughbred racehorses, focusing on stiffness, energy dissipation, and susceptibility to injury under high compression rates.
Research Purpose and Methodology
- The purpose of this study was to better understand subchondral bone injuries, which are common in humans and athletic animals due to the high-magnitude and repeated compressive loading.
- The researchers utilized high-resolution µCT scanning, a digital image-based strain measurement technique, and mechanical testing to evaluate different properties of subchondral bone from the third metacarpal (MC3) condyles of Thoroughbred racehorses.
- The study aimed to explore the relationship between microdamage, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the subchondral bone – the layer of bone just beneath the cartilage in a joint.
Findings
- Two regions of subchondral bone were compared: the 2mm superficial subchondral bone (SSB) and the underlying 2mm deep subchondral bone (DSB).
- The study found that the DSB was significantly stiffer than the SSB but dissipated less energy.
- The analysis revealed that structural properties, such as bone volume fraction (BVF) and bone mineral density (BMD), showed no correlation with mechanical properties like stiffness and energy loss, with the only exception being BMD and energy loss in the SSB.
Interpretation and Implications
- The lower stiffness of the most superficial subchondral bone in the distal metacarpal condyles may help protect the overlying cartilage and the underlying subchondral bone from damage under high-rate compression, such as experienced by racehorses during galloping.
- However, the study also indicated that repeated high-rate loading might inhibit bone turnover and induce bone fatigue, leading to a high prevalence of subchondral bone injury and fractures in both athletic humans and horses.
- This research could be fundamental in developing preventive treatments or practices for such injuries.
Cite This Article
APA
Malekipour F, Whitton CR, Lee PV.
(2018).
Stiffness and energy dissipation across the superficial and deeper third metacarpal subchondral bone in Thoroughbred racehorses under high-rate compression.
J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 85, 51-56.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.05.031 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. Electronic address: fmal@unimelb.edu.au.
- Equine Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Bone Density
- Compressive Strength
- Horses
- Metacarpal Bones / diagnostic imaging
- Metacarpal Bones / physiology
- Weight-Bearing
- X-Ray Microtomography
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- 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.
- Malekipour F, Whitton RC, Muir P, Lee PV. Standing CT-based finite element models efficiently identify regions of high mechanical strain in equine metacarpal subchondral bone. Sci Rep 2025 Dec 11;16(1):1166.
- Irandoust S, Whitton C, Henak C, Muir P. Tuning and validation of a virtual mechanical testing pipeline for condylar stress fracture risk assessment in Thoroughbred racehorses. R Soc Open Sci 2025 May;12(5):241935.
- Malekipour F, Whitton RC, Lee PV. Advancements in Subchondral Bone Biomechanics: Insights from Computed Tomography and Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging in Equine Models. Curr Osteoporos Rep 2024 Dec;22(6):544-552.
- 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.
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