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Journal of veterinary science2020; 21(3); e21; doi: 10.4142/jvs.2020.21.e21

Ultrasound and clinical findings in the metacarpophalangeal joint assessment of show jumping horses in training.

Abstract: Physical exercise is known to cause significant joint changes. Thus, monitoring joint behavior of athletic horses is essential in early disorders recognition, allowing the proper management. Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the morphological patterns, physical examination characteristics and ultrasound findings of show jumping horses in training and to establish a score-based examination model for physical and ultrasound follow-ups of metacarpophalangeal joint changes in these animals. Methods: A total of 52 metacarpophalangeal joints from 26 horses who were initially in the taming stage were evaluated, and the horses' athletic progression was monitored. The horses were evaluated by a physical examination and by B-mode and Doppler-mode ultrasound examinations, starting at time zero (T0), which occurred concomitantly with the beginning of training, and every 3 months thereafter for a follow-up period of 18 months. Results: The standardized examination model revealed an increase in the maximum joint flexion angles and higher scores on the physical and ultrasound examinations after scoring was performed by predefined assessment tools, especially between 3 and 6 months of evaluation, which was immediately after the horses started more intense training. The lameness score and the ultrasound examination score were slightly higher at the end of the study. Conclusions: The observed results were probably caused by the implementation of a training regimen and joint adaptation to physical conditioning. The joints most likely undergo a pre-osteoarthritic period due to work overload, which can manifest in a consistent or adaptive manner, as observed during this study. Thus, continuous monitoring of young athlete horses by physical and ultrasound examinations that can be scored is essential.
© 2020 The Korean Society of Veterinary Science.
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Publication Date: 2020-06-02 PubMed ID: 32476309PubMed Central: PMC7263911DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2020.21.e21Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research involved monitoring the joint behavior in training show jumping horses using physical and ultrasound examinations, in order to establish an assessment model to track changes in metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints over time. The study findings suggest that intense training causes shifts in joint morphology that can potentially lead to pre-osteoarthritis conditions, thereby emphasizing the need for regular monitoring of athletic horses.

Study Methodology

  • The study examined 52 metacarpophalangeal joints from 26 horses. Each horse was monitored from the beginning of its training period (T0) and reassessed every 3 months for a total duration of 18 months.
  • Physical examinations and ultrasound checks in both B-mode and Doppler-mode were used to monitor the horses’ MCP joints. This helped to identify any signs of physical strain or joint changes that may result from intensive training.
  • A scoring system was established to evaluate the physical and ultrasound data from each horse. This allowed for a comparative analysis and tracking of changes over the study period.

Study Findings

  • The study reported that the horses demonstrated increases in maximum joint flexion angles and higher scores on both the physical and ultrasound evaluations, particularly between the 3 and 6 months of the follow-up period. This corresponded with a period of more intense training.
  • The lameness score and ultrasound examination score were slightly higher at the end of the study, potentially signaling a transition towards a pre-osteoarthritic condition due to training workload.

Conclusion and Implications

  • This research suggests that the observed changes in the joints of show jumping horses were likely due to increased physical conditioning as part of their training regimen.
  • The findings point towards the necessity of regular evaluation via physical and ultrasound examinations for the early detection of possible joint disorders. This would then enable action to be taken to mitigate progression into potentially debilitating conditions such as osteoarthritis.
  • The scoring-based examination model established through this research becomes a valuable tool to monitor joint adaptation in athletic horses over time and could potentially be applied to other forms of equestrian sports or even human athletes.

Cite This Article

APA
Yamada ALM, Pinheiro M, Marsiglia MF, Hagen SCF, Baccarin RYA, da Silva LCLC. (2020). Ultrasound and clinical findings in the metacarpophalangeal joint assessment of show jumping horses in training. J Vet Sci, 21(3), e21. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2020.21.e21

Publication

Journal of veterinary science
ISSN: 1976-555X
NlmUniqueID: 100964185
Country: Korea (South)
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 3
Pages: e21

Researcher Affiliations

Yamada, Ana Lúcia M
  • Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508 270, Brazil. anamyamada@usp.br.
Pinheiro, Marcelo
  • Independant Veterinarian, Alameda do Parque 400, Jd Plaza Athene, Itu, SP 13302 225, Brazil.
Marsiglia, Marília F
  • Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508 270, Brazil.
Hagen, Stefano Carlo F
  • Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508 270, Brazil.
Baccarin, Raquel Yvonne A
  • Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508 270, Brazil.
da Silva, Luís Cláudio L C
  • Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508 270, Brazil.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Brazil
  • Female
  • Forelimb
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Metacarpophalangeal Joint / anatomy & histology
  • Metacarpophalangeal Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Metacarpophalangeal Joint / physiology
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Reference Values
  • Ultrasonography / veterinary
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • 2017/07255-5 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Mayet A, Zablotski Y, Roth SP, Brehm W, Troillet A. Systematic review and meta-analysis of positive long-term effects after intra-articular administration of orthobiologic therapeutics in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1125695.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1125695pubmed: 36908512google scholar: lookup
  2. Guerri G, Palozzo A, Straticò P, Varasano V, Celani G, Di Francesco P, Vignoli M, Petrizzi L. 2D-SWE of the Metacarpophalangeal Joint Capsule in Horses. Vet Sci 2022 Sep 4;9(9).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9090478pubmed: 36136694google scholar: lookup
  3. Baccarin RYA, Seidel SRT, Michelacci YM, Tokawa PKA, Oliveira TM. Osteoarthritis: a common disease that should be avoided in the athletic horse's life. Anim Front 2022 Jun;12(3):25-36.
    doi: 10.1093/af/vfac026pubmed: 35711506google scholar: lookup
  4. Yamada ALM, do Prado Vendruscolo C, Marsiglia MF, Sotelo EDP, Agreste FR, Seidel SRT, Fülber J, Baccarin RYA, da Silva LCLC. Effects of oral treatment with chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine in an experimental model of metacarpophalangeal osteoarthritis in horses. BMC Vet Res 2022 Jun 9;18(1):215.
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  5. Straticò P, Guerri G, Palozzo A, Di Francesco P, Vignoli M, Varasano V, Petrizzi L. Elastosonographic features of the metacarpophalangeal joint capsule in horses. BMC Vet Res 2021 May 29;17(1):202.
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