Radiographic assessment of the equine carpal joint under incremental loads and during flexion

Abstract

Non-physiologic loading of the carpal bones is believed to result in osteochondral fractures, ligament rupture and axial instability in the equine forelimb; however, the mechanism of carpal damage due to non-physiologic loading of the carpus is largely unknown. To investigate carpal stability (alignment and direction of carpal bones' movement) under load and during flexion, some previously described carpal parameters were measured on radiographs obtained from 24 equine cadaver limbs (aged 10.71±4.15 years). The limbs were transected at the antebrachial midshaft, axially loaded in a commercial press and serially radiographed under a range of incremental loads (extension) and 2 flexion positio..