The effect of the sagittal ridge angle on cartilage stress in the equine metacarpo-phalangeal (fetlock) joint.
Abstract: Fatigue failure of bones of the metacarpo-phalangeal (fetlock, MCP) joint is common in thoroughbred racehorses. Stresses within the fetlock joint cartilages are affected by the morphology of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) and proximal phalangeal bone, and the steepness of the median sagittal ridge of MC3 is believed to be associated with fracture. This study investigated the influence of the steepness of the sagittal ridge on cartilage stress distribution using a finite element model of the joint. Changes to the steepness of the sagittal ridge were made by applying a parabolic function to the mesh, creating four different models with sagittal ridge angles ranging from 95° to 105°. In the fetlock joint of Thoroughbred racehorses, sagittal ridge angles of >100° were associated with higher Von Mises stresses in cartilage at the palmar aspect of the condylar groove than such stresses in joints with sagittal ridge angles of <100°. Stresses were high in the specific region where fractures are known to originate in MC3. This aspect of morphology of the fetlock joint thus appears to play an important role in the magnitude and distribution of cartilage stresses, which, when acting on the underlying hard tissues of the articular calcified cartilage and subchondral bone may play a role in the initiation of fatigue fracture in the third metacarpal bone.
Publication Date: 2017-06-15 PubMed ID: 28631937DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2017.1339795Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research focuses on how the angle of the sagittal ridge in a racehorse’s fetlock (metacarpo-phalangeal) joint affects stress on the cartilage, with the aim of better understanding the common occurrence of bone fatigue and fractures in these animals.
Objective of Research
- The main goal of this research was to determine the impact of the sagittal ridge angle in the equine metacarpo-phalangeal joint on the distribution of stress on the cartilage. This was based on the premise that fatigue failure of bones in this joint is a prevalent issue in thoroughbred racehorses, potentially attributable to the morphology of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) and proximal phalangeal bone.
Methods of Research
- The research employed a finite element model of the joint to study the influence of sagittal ridge steepness on cartilage stress distribution.
- The researchers made changes to the steepness of the sagittal ridge by applying a parabolic function to the mesh of the model, creating four different test models with sagittal ridge angles ranging from 95° to 105°.
Findings of the Research
- The study discovered that in the fetlock joint of Thoroughbred racehorses, sagittal ridge angles of >100° were associated with higher Von Mises stresses in the cartilage at the palmar aspect of the condylar groove than such stresses in joints with sagittal ridge angles of <100°.
- The stress levels were found to be high in specific regions where fractures are known to originate in the third metacarpal bone.
- The findings indicate that the morphology of the fetlock joint plays a significant role in determining the magnitude and distribution of cartilage stresses.
Implications of the Research
- The findings suggest that when acting on the underlying hard tissues of the articular calcified cartilage and subchondral bone, this distribution of stress may contribute to the initiation of fatigue fractures in the third metacarpal bone.
Cite This Article
APA
Liley H, Davies H, Firth E, Besier T, Fernandez J.
(2017).
The effect of the sagittal ridge angle on cartilage stress in the equine metacarpo-phalangeal (fetlock) joint.
Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin, 1-10.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10255842.2017.1339795 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- a Auckland Bioengineering Institute , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
- b Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences , University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia.
- a Auckland Bioengineering Institute , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
- c Department of Exercise Sciences , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
- a Auckland Bioengineering Institute , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
- d Department of Engineering Science , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
- a Auckland Bioengineering Institute , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
- d Department of Engineering Science , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- 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).
- Lin ST, Foote AK, Bolas NM, Sargan DR, Murray RC. Histological and Histopathological Features of the Third Metacarpal/Tarsal Parasagittal Groove and Proximal Phalanx Sagittal Groove in Thoroughbred Horses with Racing History. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 30;14(13).
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