Structural variation of the distal condyles of the third metacarpal and third metatarsal bones in the horse.
Abstract: This study examined 3-dimensional (3D) distribution of sectors with contrasting density in the equine third metacarpal (McIII) and third metatarsal (MtIII) bones with a view to explaining the aetiology of distal condylar fractures. Macroradiography and computed tomographic (CT) imaging were used in the nondestructive study of bones obtained from horses, most of which were Thoroughbreds in race training. Distal condylar regions of McIII and MtIII were also studied in microradiographs of 100 microm thick mediolateral sections cut perpendicular to the dorsal and palmar/plantar articular surfaces. Qualitative and quantitative results from all methods used (radiography, CT and microradiographic stereology) demonstrated a densification (sclerosis) of subchondral bone located in the palmar/plantar regions of the medial and lateral condyles of both McIII and MtIII. Substantial density gradients between the denser condyles and the subchondral bone of the sagittal groove were shown to equate with anatomical differences in loading intensity during locomotion. It is hypothesised that such differences in bone density results in stress concentration at the palmar/plantar aspect of the condylar grooves, which may predispose to fracture.
Publication Date: 1999-04-23 PubMed ID: 10213425DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03806.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article examines the 3D structure and density distribution of specific bones in horses, aiming to understand the cause of distal condylar fractures. The study identified considerable variability in bone density, which the researchers suspected might contribute to heightened risk of fractures.
Objective of the Study
- The study sets out to examine the 3-dimensional (3D) structure of the third metacarpal (McIII) and third metatarsal (MtIII) bones in horses. The objective was to understand how variances in bone density might contribute to distal condylar fractures, a common injury amongst horses.
Methodology
- The researchers made use of macroradiography and computed tomographic (CT) imaging for a nondestructive study of the bones acquired from horses, predominantly from Thoroughbreds in race training.
- They focused particularly on the distal condylar regions of McIII and MtIII bones, studying them in microradiographs of 100 micrometers thick sections cut perpendicularly to the dorsal and palmar/plantar articular surfaces.
Key Findings
- The study utilized various methodologies including radiography, CT and microradiographic stereology to gather both qualitative and quantitative results.
- Through these methods, they found a densification (sclerosis) of subchondral bone, especially located in the palmar/plantar regions of the medial and lateral condyles of both McIII and MtIII.
- The team further identified substantial density gradients between the denser condyles and the subchondral bone of the sagittal groove. These changes in density were seen to align with anatomical differences in loading intensity during locomotion.
Conclusion and Hypothesis
- The researchers concluded that bone density differences result in stress concentration at the palmar/plantar aspect of the condylar grooves, and this may predispose the horse to fractures.
- This discovery could play a significant role in developing preventive measures or treatments for distal condylar fractures in horses, a common but poorly understood condition.
Cite This Article
APA
Riggs CM, Whitehouse GH, Boyde A.
(1999).
Structural variation of the distal condyles of the third metacarpal and third metatarsal bones in the horse.
Equine Vet J, 31(2), 130-139.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03806.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Animal Husbandry, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Fractures, Bone / etiology
- Fractures, Bone / veterinary
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / injuries
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Male
- Metacarpal Bones / anatomy & histology
- Metacarpal Bones / diagnostic imaging
- Metatarsal Bones / anatomy & histology
- Metatarsal Bones / diagnostic imaging
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 17 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.
- Boyde A. The Bone Cartilage Interface and Osteoarthritis. Calcif Tissue Int 2021 Sep;109(3):303-328.
- 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).
- 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.
- Stewart HL, Kawcak CE. The Importance of Subchondral Bone in the Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:178.
- 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.
- Hopper N, Singer E, Henson F. Increased sclerostin associated with stress fracture of the third metacarpal bone in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Bone Joint Res 2018 Jan;7(1):94-102.
- 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.
- Noble P, Singer ER, Jeffery NS. Does subchondral bone of the equine proximal phalanx adapt to race training?. J Anat 2016 Jul;229(1):104-13.
- 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.
- Doube M, Wiktorowicz-Conroy A, Christiansen P, Hutchinson JR, Shefelbine S. Three-dimensional geometric analysis of felid limb bone allometry. PLoS One 2009;4(3):e4742.
- 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.
- 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.
- Irandoust S, O'Neil LM, Stevenson CM, Franseen FM, Ramzan PHL, Powell SE, Brounts SH, Loeber SJ, Ergun DL, Whitton RC, Henak CR, Muir P. Comparison of radiography and computed tomography for identification of third metacarpal structural change and associated assessment of condylar stress fracture risk in Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):723-736.
- Schiavo S, Beccati F, Pokora R, Lin ST, Milmine RC, Bak L, Peter VG, Murray RC. Lesion Distribution in the Metacarpophalangeal and Metatarsophalangeal Region of 341 Horses Using Standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 25;14(13).
- Boros K, Dyson S, Kovács Á, Lang Z, Nagy A. Computed Tomographic Evaluation of the Sagittal Ridge of the Third Metacarpal Bone in Young Thoroughbred Racehorses: A Longitudinal Study. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 6;14(5).
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