Analyze Diet
Open veterinary journal2023; 13(5); 569-575; doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i5.9

Variation in palmaromedial articulations of carpometacarpal joints in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses.

Abstract: Carpal conformation is an important factor in relation to joint soundness. The equine carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) was reported to have variations in its three palmaromedial articulations. Lacking one or more of these articulations has not been radiographically evaluated in Thoroughbred (TB) and Standardbred (SB) racehorses. The study aimed to identify the prevalence of the variation in the palmaromedial articulation of the carpometacarpal joint (PM-CMCJ) in TB and SB horses. Additionally, to detect the probability of having each of the three articulations within and between the breeds. Finally, to establish an anatomical description for the different patterns of the articulations in these horses. 313 dorsopalmar radiographs from 174 horses (117 TB and 57 SB) were used. Three articulations at PM-CMCJ were evaluated based on their presence or absence: the articulations between the second and third carpal bones (C2-C3), the second carpal-second metacarpal (C2-Mc2), and the second and third metacarpal (Mc2-Mc3) bones. The probability of each articulation was determined in the breeds. Depending on the presence/absence of one or more of these articulations in each horse, each group of horses that had the same patterns of articulation was gathered into one category. Prevalence of variation in articulations of PM-CMCJ was identified in about 28% of the horses. SB showed a higher variation than TB throughout the comparisons. C2-C3 articulation was significantly the most common articulation, especially in TB (98%). The most common pattern of articulations (73%) was found in category I, which had three articulations whereas three horses grouped in category VI had no palmaromedial articulations. The variations in the articulations of PM-CMCJ in TB and SB racehorse might show a breed association. C2-C3 articulation was considerably the most frequent feature and category I was the common pattern of articulations in PM-CMCJ. The potential clinical effects of the varied patterns of the articulations require investigation.
Publication Date: 2023-05-10 PubMed ID: 37304598PubMed Central: PMC10257447DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i5.9Google 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

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 study explores the variation in a specific joint articulation in the legs of Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses. The researchers analysed radiographs from 174 horses and found some significant differences in joint formation, with 28% of the horses showing variations. Notably, the Thoroughbreds more often had a specific type of articulation, and the most common pattern of articulation was found in almost three-quarters of the horses.

Methodology and Purpose

  • The research aimed to identify the prevalence of variation in the palmaromedial articulation of the carpometacarpal joint (a particular joint in a horse’s leg, referred to as PM-CMCJ) in Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses.
  • They sought to determine the likelihood of each of the three specific articulations occurring within and between these two popular breeds.
  • The study additionally aimed to describe anatomically different patterns of articulation seen in these horses.
  • A total of 313 radiographs taken from the dorsopalmar (back-to-front) view of 174 horses (117 Thoroughbreds and 57 Standardbreds) were analysed for this study.

Findings

  • The articulations studied included those between the second and third carpal bones (C2-C3), the second carpal-second metacarpal (C2-Mc2), and the second and third metacarpal (Mc2-Mc3) bones.
  • Around 28% of the horses studied showed variation in these articulations, with Standardbreds showing higher variation than Thoroughbreds.
  • Of the three kinds of articulation, the C2-C3 was found to be the most common, particularly in Thoroughbreds, where it was present in 98% of the horses.
  • The most common overall pattern of articulation present in 73% of horses was having all three articulations present.
  • The study identified six categories of articulation patterns, ranging from having all three articulations to having none.

Implications and Conclusions

  • The study concluded that there are significant variations in the PM-CMCJ articulations seen in both Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses.
  • A breed association may be inferred from this variation – certain types of articulation may be more common in one breed than the other.
  • The clinical effects of these varied patterns of articulation are currently unknown and therefore warrant further research.

Cite This Article

APA
Oheida AH, Shalgum AA, Alrtib AM, Booker AO, Ben-Naser KM, Davies HMS. (2023). Variation in palmaromedial articulations of carpometacarpal joints in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses. Open Vet J, 13(5), 569-575. https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i5.9

Publication

ISSN: 2218-6050
NlmUniqueID: 101653182
Country: Libya
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 5
Pages: 569-575

Researcher Affiliations

Oheida, Aiman H
  • Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.
Shalgum, Aiman A
  • Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.
Alrtib, Abdulrhman M
  • Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.
Booker, Ali O
  • Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.
Ben-Naser, Khaled M
  • Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.
Davies, Helen M S
  • Department of Veterinary BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Carpometacarpal Joints / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / anatomy & histology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 29 references
  1. Abdunnabi A. Morphometrical study of carpal bones in thoroughbreds, ponies and other breeds of horses. .
  2. Barrey E. Inter-limb coordination. Equine locomotion 2001; pp. 77–94.
  3. Bramlage LR. Surgical diseases of the carpus.. Vet Clin North Am Large Anim Pract 1983 Jul;5(2):261-74.
    pubmed: 6636455doi: 10.1016/s0196-9846(17)30078-2google scholar: lookup
  4. Bramlage L.R, Auer J.A. Diagnosis, assessment, and treatment strategies for angular limb deformities in the foal. Clin. Tech. Equine. Pract. 2006;5:259–269.
  5. Bramlage LR, Schneider RK, Gabel AA. A clinical perspective on lameness originating in the carpus.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1988 Sep;(6):12-8.
  6. Budras K.D, Sack W.O, Rock S. Anatomy of the horse. 5th. 2009.
  7. Deane NJ, Davies AS. The function of the equine carpal joint: a review.. N Z Vet J 1995 Apr;43(2):45-7.
    pubmed: 16031805doi: 10.1080/00480169.1995.35845google scholar: lookup
  8. Frandson R.D, Wilke W.L, Fails A.D. Anatomy and physiology of farm animals. 6th. 2003.
  9. Garvican E, Clegg P. Clinical aspects of the equine carpal joints. U. K. Vet. 2007;12:1–5.
  10. Malone ED, Les CM, Turner TA. Severe carpometacarpal osteoarthritis in older Arabian horses.. Vet Surg 2003 May-Jun;32(3):191-5.
    pubmed: 12784194doi: 10.1053/jvet.2003.50026google scholar: lookup
  11. McIlwraith C.W, Anderson T.M, Sanschi E.M. Conformation and musculoskeletal problems in the race horse. Clin. Tech. Equine. Pract. 2003;2:339–347.
  12. McIlwraith CW, Yovich JV, Martin GS. Arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of osteochondral chip fractures in the equine carpus.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1987 Sep 1;191(5):531-40.
    pubmed: 3667408
  13. Morgan J.P. Techniques of veterinary radiology. 5th. 1993.
  14. Nickel R, Schummer A, Seiferle E, Frewein J, Wilkens H, Wille K.H. The locomotor system of the domestic mammals. 1986.
  15. Oheida A.H, Alrtib A.M, Abushhiwa M.H, Philip C.J, Davies H.M.S. Carpal morphometry in normal horses and horses with carpal bone pathology. AJVS 2022;72(1):1–8.
  16. Oheida A.H, Alrtib A.M, Shalgum A.A, Shemla M.E, Marzok M.A, Davies H.M.S. Radiographic comparison of carpal morphometry in thoroughbred and standardbred race horses. AJVS 2019;61(1):74–82.
  17. Oheida A.H, Anderson G.A, Alrtib A.M, Abushhiwa M.H, Philip C.J, Davies H.M.S. Carpal parameters on dorsopalmar radiographs of the equine carpus. J. Vet. Adv. 2016;6(6):1258–1268.
  18. Olusa TAO, Akbar Z, Murray CM, Davies HMS. Morphometric analysis of the intercarpal ligaments of the equine proximal carpal bones during simulated flexion and extension of cadaver limbs.. Anat Histol Embryol 2021 Jan;50(1):151-160.
    pubmed: 32901991doi: 10.1111/ahe.12613google scholar: lookup
  19. Palmer SE. Prevalence of carpal fractures in thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1986 May 15;188(10):1171-3.
    pubmed: 3721966
  20. Pasquini C, Spurgeon T, Pasquini S. Anatomy of domestic animals. 9th. 1997.
  21. Riegel R.J, Hakola S.E. Illustrated atlas of clinical equine anatomy and common disorders of the horse. 1996.
  22. Rooney JR, Prickett ME. Foreleg splints in horses.. Cornell Vet 1966 Apr;56(2):259-69.
    pubmed: 6006351
  23. SAS. Statistical analysis system (SAS) 9.00. 2002.
  24. Schneider R.K. Incidence and location of fractures within the carpus. Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners 1979:145–146.
  25. Sisson S, Getty R. The anatomy of the domestic animals. Equine syndesmology. 5th. 1975; pp. 355–358.
  26. Sledge C.B. Biology of the joint. Textbook of rhenumatology 1993; pp. 1–21.
  27. Stashak T.S, Hill C. Conformation and movement. Adam’s lameness in horses 5th. 2002; pp. 80–92.
  28. Weller R, Pfau T, May SA, Wilson AM. Variation in conformation in a cohort of National Hunt racehorses.. Equine Vet J 2006 Nov;38(7):616-21.
    pubmed: 17228575doi: 10.2746/042516406x150394google scholar: lookup
  29. Whitton RC, Rose RJ. The intercarpal ligaments of the equine midcarpal joint, Part 2: The role of the palmar intercarpal ligaments in the restraint of dorsal displacement of the proximal row of carpal bones.. Vet Surg 1997 Sep-Oct;26(5):367-73.

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.