Fractures of the carpus in racing thoroughbreds of the Japan Racing Association: Prevalence, location, and current modes of surgical therapy

From 1985 through 1994 approximately 39,800 Thoroughbred horses competed in over 3,400 races each year conducted by the Japan Racing Association (JRA). During this time the prevalence of fractures incurred during racing was 1.99, and 0.09% during training. Of these, 0.32% of the horses during racing died or were humanely destroyed as a direct result of their injuries. During 1994, 1,837 fractures occurred. The cuboidal bones of the carpus and the distal end of the radius accounted for 33.5% of all recorded fractures, with 47.4% of these occurring during racing and 24.2% occurring during training. The most common sites of fracture within the carpus were the distal end of the radius, the third carpal bone, and the radial carpal bone accounting for 35.3, 35.2, and 29.5% of fractures, respectively. Of these, 86/7% of osteochondral fractures occurred on the dorsal aspect of the cuboidal bones. At racing speed, characteristic fractures of the carpus are relatively common in race horses.Since 1991 in Japan, arthroscopic surgery has been the treatment of choice for the removal of carpal joint osteochondral fragments. Of all horses having arthroscopic surgery (n=155), 68.4% of these horses returned to race 9 months after surgery. Of all horses having osteochondral fractures of the distal end of the radius, radial carpal, and third carpal bones treated with arthroscopic surgery in 1993 (n=97) 52.6%, 60.0%, and 55.6% respectively, returned to race and competed at the same level of competition or higher compared with pre-operative racing performance. Arthroscopic surgery, as adapted by the JRA, is a useful technique for the treatment of carpal bone fractures in race horses; however, following surgery some horses had chronic arthritic changes associated with the surgical site. This suggests that the surgical methods and post-operative training program have to be re-evaluated.The objectives of this paper are to describe the prevalence, location, post-operative complication and racing performance for horses having cuboidal carpal bone fractures in racing Throughbreds of JRA.     

泾河南塬黄土的渗透特征及孕灾机制

[目的]分析泾河南塬黄土的渗透各向异性特征,并探讨该地区滑坡的孕灾机制,以期为黄土分布区雨水入渗型滑坡的灾害防治提供指导。[方法]通过野外调查和渗透试验,分析该地区裂隙土以及不同土层的渗透特征。[结果]裂隙土的渗透系数远大于均质土,裂隙的存在为水的入渗提供优势渗流通道。不同土层渗透系数对比表明,马兰黄土因大、中孔隙多以及节理裂隙发育,其渗透系数最大,而古土壤的渗透系数最小。[结论]泾河南塬黄土具有明显的渗透各向异性,水与裂隙共同作用已成为该地区的一种恶性灾害链模式。     

断裂错动与水作用下的地层位移及应力变化

[目的]在断裂活动和地下水位变化条件下,对地裂缝上下盘地层的沉降位移与应力变化进行分析,为深入研究地裂缝的形成机理提供参考。[方法]以北京市高丽营地区地裂缝为研究背景原型,基于其活动特征,分析了该地裂缝的发育与断裂构造及地下水水位变化之间的关系,并运用数值模拟方法分别研究了两种诱因作用下模型地层的沉降位移及土体内部应力的变化规律。[结果]断裂错动作用下,地裂缝上盘土层的沉降变形响应程度大于下盘,地表竖向位移变化曲线近似呈反"S"形态,且上盘应力降低区的范围大于下盘应力增强区的范围;地层沉降量随地下水位的下降而不断增加,其土体应力变化曲线呈"中心对称"。[结论]断裂两侧附近的土体沉降位移和应力变化的差异较明显,且差异沉降与水位降深呈正相关,地下水位下降易诱发地裂缝的影响范围是上盘45m和下盘35m,研究成果可为地裂缝灾害地区的防灾减灾提供科学的理论依据。     

竹材Ⅲ型层间的断裂韧性

采用改进设计的端部切口悬臂梁(SCB)装置,试验测试毛竹(Phyllostachs pubescens)Ⅲ型层间断裂性质,并分别用柔度法和面积法计算其Ⅲ型层间断裂韧性值。结果表明:(1)采用柔度法和面积法得到的Ⅲ型层间断裂韧性,分别为2.38 N·m~(-1)(标准差0.74 N·m~(-1))、2.20 N·m~(-1)(标准差0.36 N·m~(-1)),前者略高于后者,但方差分析差异不显著;(2)二种方法测得的Ⅲ型层间断裂韧性,基本上与裂纹尺寸无关,说明层间断裂韧性是竹材的一种基本性质;(3)对竹材断面的观察发现,Ⅲ型层间裂纹在未木质化的短型基本组织细胞中的扩展是伴随着胞壁的撕裂,但在已木质化的长型基本组织细胞之间和纤维束之间,裂纹是沿胞间层扩展的。     

断层和裂缝尺度识别的地球物理方法探讨

由于地球物理方法本身受分辨率和保真度的限制,其在断层和裂缝识别上的应用也就有精度和尺度上的差异。为此,可采用不同的方法技术来识别不同尺度的断层和裂缝,即在断层识别上,利用地震剖面和水平切片解释大断层,采用相干分析方法识别小断层;在裂缝识别上,主要采用多方位AVO方法识别大尺度裂缝的发育特征,采用成像测井来识别微小裂缝的特征情况。实际应用表明,上述方法在相应尺度断层和裂缝上的识别效果较好。     

Computed tomography of proximal metatarsal and concurrent third tarsal bone fractures in a Thoroughbred racehorse

A 2‐year‐old Thoroughbred filly presented to the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California at Davis for whole body nuclear scintigraphic evaluation after an acute onset of nonweightbearing right hindlimb lameness post race. The use of computed tomography (CT) enabled visualisation of additional pathology that was not initially appreciable using combined imaging modalities of nuclear scintigraphy and digital radiography, which ultimately altered the selected course of treatment. Computed tomography in horses with fractures of the cuboidal bones of the hock can provide valuable additional information regarding fracture configuration and radiographically occult pathology, which may help to guide clinical decisions about treatment.     

Computed tomography assisted repair of a central tarsal bone slab fracture in a horse

A 13‐year‐old Quarter Horse gelding was presented for repair of a central tarsal bone fracture. Radiographs showed a single large nondisplaced sagittal slab fracture; however, computed tomography (CT) revealed an additional small, displaced central tarsal bone fragment. The complex fracture was repaired, under the same anaesthetic period as the CT examination, using the CT hard copies images, intraoperative fluoroscopy and radiographs. The horse recovered well and after rehabilitation showed no residual lameness at work. Computed tomography was instrumental in achieving precise screw placement and successful fracture repair.     

Z-形钛合金钢板前路内固定术治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折的疗效观察

目的观察Z-形钛合金钢板前路内固度定术对胸腰椎爆裂性骨折患者的临床疗效。方法对60例胸腰段脊柱爆裂性骨折患者进行前方减压、椎体间植骨、Z-形钛钢板内固定,术后卧床3周,3周后戴支架起床活动。结果随访平均12.5个月,术后CT或MR显示椎管内压迫去除,植骨愈合。脊柱后凸Cobb角较术前改善12.7°,无继发脊柱后凸畸形。神经功能较术前有1~2级以上的改善。结论Z-形钛合金钢板前路内固定术对胸腰椎爆裂性骨折减压彻底,固定牢固,不破坏后稳定结构,并能一期重建脊柱系列。     

F汽车方向机驱动轴的疲劳与断裂分析

F汽车进口后在索赔期内仅运行2800km,其方向机突然失灵,车与杨树相撞。在事故技术检查中发现方向机驱动轴破断。那么,该驱动轴是在车、树相撞中破断,还是在相撞前破断呢?本文对F汽车方向机驱动轴的破断进行了疲劳与断裂分析,其中有联接分析、受力分析、断口(宏观、微观和金相)分析,从而得出该件原为不合格件,断口为疲劳断口,是正常疲劳断裂的结论。致使索赔汽车谈判成功。