The mechanical consequences of load bearing in the equine third metacarpal across speed and gait: the nonuniform distributions of normal strain, shear strain, and strain energy density.
Abstract: Distributions of normal strain, shear strain, and strain energy density (SED) were determined across the midshaft of the third metacarpal (MCIII, or cannon bone) of 3 adult thoroughbred horses as a function of speed and gait. A complete characterization of the mechanical demands of the bone made through the stride and from mild through the extremes of locomotion was possible by using three 3-element rosette strain gauges bonded at the diaphyseal midshaft of the MCIII and evaluating the strain output with beam theory and finite element analysis. Mean ± sd values of normal strain, shear strain, and SED increased with speed and peaked during a canter (-3560±380 microstrain, 1760±470 microstrain, and 119±23 kPa, respectively). While the location of these peaks was similar across animals and gaits, the resulting strain distributions across the cortex were consistently nonuniform, establishing between a 73-fold (slow trot) to a 330-fold (canter) disparity between the sites of maximum and minimum SED for each gait cycle. Using strain power density as an estimate of strain history across the bone revealed a 154-fold disparity between peak and minimum at the walk but fell to ~32-fold at the canter. The nonuniform, minimally varying, strain environment suggests either that bone homeostasis is mediated by magnitude-independent mechanical signals or that the duration of stimuli necessary to establish and maintain tissue integrity is relatively brief, and thus the vast majority of strain information is disregarded.
Publication Date: 2013-01-25 PubMed ID: 23355269PubMed Central: PMC3633814DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-216804Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- N.I.H.
- Extramural
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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The researchers’ work aimed to explore the dynamics of load bearing in horse bones, specifically the third metacarpal, in relation to speed and gait. They found that the strain distribution across the bone cortex was variable and generally nonuniform with disparities between the sites of maximum and minimum strain energy density ranging from 73-fold to 330-fold depending on the gait.
Methodology
- The scientists conducted their research on the midshaft of the third metacarpal bone (also known as the cannon bone) of three adult thoroughbred horses.
- The team attached three 3-element rosette strain gauges at the diaphyseal midshaft of the metacarpal to record strain.
- The strain output was then assessed using both beam theory and finite element analysis, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical demands of the bone throughout the stride and variations in locomotion.
Findings
- The values of normal strain, shear strain, and strain energy density (SED) were observed to increase with speed, peaking during a canter.
- The location of these peaks was found to be similar across the tested animals and gaits.
- The distribution of these strains across the bone cortex was consistently nonuniform. This resulted in a disparity ranging from 73-fold (during a slow trot) to 330-fold (during a canter) between the sites of maximum and minimum SED in each gait cycle.
- When the researchers used the strain power density to estimate the strain history across the bone, they found a disparity of 154-fold between peak and minimum at walking pace, but this decreased to around 32-fold during a canter.
Interpretation
- The nonuniform and minimally varying strain environment suggests that either bone homeostasis (the balance of bone tissue) is guided by magnitude-independent mechanical signals or that the necessary duration of stimuli to establish and maintain tissue integrity is relatively brief.
- This latter interpretation implies that most of the strain information is disregarded during the bone’s adaptive response, which means that only a small portion of the overall strain plays a role in bone remodeling and maintenance.
Cite This Article
APA
Rubin CT, Seeherman H, Qin YX, Gross TS.
(2013).
The mechanical consequences of load bearing in the equine third metacarpal across speed and gait: the nonuniform distributions of normal strain, shear strain, and strain energy density.
FASEB J, 27(5), 1887-1894.
https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.12-216804 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Musculo-Skeletal Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5281, USA. clinton.rubin@stonybrook.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Forelimb
- Gait
- Horses
- Locomotion
- Metacarpal Bones / physiology
- Metacarpal Bones / physiopathology
- Sprains and Strains / physiopathology
- Stress, Mechanical
- Weight-Bearing / physiology
Grant Funding
- R01 AR052379 / NIAMS NIH HHS
- R01 AR061821 / NIAMS NIH HHS
- AR-49438 / NIAMS NIH HHS
- EB914351 / NIBIB NIH HHS
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Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Skedros JG. A 50-year perspective on the use and potential of artiodactyl calcanei in bone adaptation studies. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2026 Feb;101(1):437-485.
- Qin YX, Xia Y, Muir J, Lin W, Rubin CT. Quantitative ultrasound imaging monitoring progressive disuse osteopenia and mechanical stimulation mitigation in calcaneus region through a 90-day bed rest human study. J Orthop Translat 2019 Jul;18:48-58.
- Pagnotti GM, Styner M, Uzer G, Patel VS, Wright LE, Ness KK, Guise TA, Rubin J, Rubin CT. Combating osteoporosis and obesity with exercise: leveraging cell mechanosensitivity. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2019 Jun;15(6):339-355.
- Skedros JG, Su SC, Knight AN, Bloebaum RD, Bachus KN. Advancing the deer calcaneus model for bone adaptation studies: ex vivo strains obtained after transecting the tension members suggest an unrecognized important role for shear strains. J Anat 2019 Jan;234(1):66-82.
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