Role of subchondral bone remodelling in collapse of the articular surface of Thoroughbred racehorses with palmar osteochondral disease

Abstract

Reasons for performing study: To gain a better understanding of the aetiology of articular surface collapse in horses with palmar osteochondral disease. Objectives: To determine whether acceleration of focal bone resorption associated with reduced physical activity contributes to articular surface collapse in racehorses with palmar osteochondral disease. Study design: Cross-sectional study comparing metacarpal bones from horses at varying stages of race training. Methods: Metacarpal bones from 36 racing Thoroughbred horses were examined with high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography to determine the proportion of the articular surface that had collapsed and with backscatter..