Changes in mineralised tissue at the site of origin of condylar fracture are present before athletic training in Thoroughbred horses |
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| Authors: | EC Firth M Doube A Boyde |
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| Affiliation: | 1. National Research Centre for Growth and Development, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand E-mail: e.c.firth@massey.ac.nz;2. Hard Tissue Research Unit, Dental Biophysics, Centre for Oral Growth and Development, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary , University of London , New Road, E1 11BB, London, UK;3. Department of Bioengineering , Imperial College London , South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK;4. Hard Tissue Research Unit, Dental Biophysics, Centre for Oral Growth and Development, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary , University of London , New Road, E1 11BB, London, UK |
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| Abstract: | Abstract AIM: To show that changes are present at the site of origin of metacarpal condylar fracture in young Thoroughbred horses before they enter race training. METHOD: Bone slices, 2 mm thick, in three mediolateral planes through the centre of rotation of the metacarpo-phalangeal joint (MCPJ) of both distal third metacarpal bones (Mc3) of 12 Thoroughbred horses aged 17 months, were imaged using point-projection digital X-ray imaging (µXR). RESULTS: In some horses, linear or ovoid radiolucency was found in articular calcified cartilage (ACC) and subchondral bone of the palmaro-distal aspect of the sagittal groove, exactly at the site of more advanced stages of condylar fatigue fracture. An incidental finding was ovoid radiolucency in the apex of the dorso-distal aspect of the sagittal ridge, with or without fragmentation or disturbance of the subchondral mineralised tissue line, resembling equine osteochondrosis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings imply that the aetiology of condylar fatigue fracture in young Thoroughbred horses includes abnormality in development of the bone and joint that is present before athletic activity occurs. |
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| Keywords: | Condyle fatigue fracture calcified cartilage subchondral bone equine bone development osteochondrosis |
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