Metacarpophalangeal Joint Pathology and Bone Mineral Density Increase with Exercise but Not with Incidence of Proximal Sesamoid Bone Fracture in Thoroughbred Racehorses
Kira J. Noordwijk,
Leyi Chen,
Bianca D. Ruspi,
Sydney Schurer,
Brittany Papa,
Diana C. Fasanello,
Sean P. McDonough,
Scott E. Palmer,
Ian R. Porter,
Parminder S. Basran,
Eve Donnelly,
Heidi L. Reesink
Affiliations
Kira J. Noordwijk
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Leyi Chen
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Bianca D. Ruspi
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Sydney Schurer
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Brittany Papa
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Diana C. Fasanello
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Sean P. McDonough
Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Scott E. Palmer
Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Ian R. Porter
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Parminder S. Basran
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Eve Donnelly
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Heidi L. Reesink
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) fracture is the leading cause of fatal musculoskeletal injury in Thoroughbred racehorses in Hong Kong and the US. Efforts are underway to investigate diagnostic modalities that could help identify racehorses at increased risk of fracture; however, features associated with PSB fracture risk are still poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to (1) investigate third metacarpal (MC3) and PSB density and mineral content using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), computed tomography (CT), Raman spectroscopy, and ash fraction measurements, and (2) investigate PSB quality and metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) pathology using Raman spectroscopy and CT. Forelimbs were collected from 29 Thoroughbred racehorse cadavers (n = 14 PSB fracture, n = 15 control) for DXA and CT imaging, and PSBs were sectioned for Raman spectroscopy and ash fraction measurements. Bone mineral density (BMD) was greater in MC3 condyles and PSBs of horses with more high-speed furlongs. MCPJ pathology, including palmar osteochondral disease (POD), MC3 condylar sclerosis, and MC3 subchondral lysis were greater in horses with more high-speed furlongs. There were no differences in BMD or Raman parameters between fracture and control groups; however, Raman spectroscopy and ash fraction measurements revealed regional differences in PSB BMD and tissue composition. Many parameters, including MC3 and PSB bone mineral density, were strongly correlated with total high-speed furlongs.
