Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Pauline Addis, Dr Sian Lawson
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
P>Reasons for performing study: The flexor tendons support the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints during stance phase and since tendon stiffness and strain changes with age, it is likely that kinematics are also age-dependent. Hypothesis: Maximum MCP and DIP angles decrease in the young horse, plateau in the mature horse and increase towards senescence. Methods: The distal limbs of 57 walking horses age 3-212 months were filmed and digitised with an automated tracking system. Maximum MCP and DIP angles during stance phase were used to calculate strain in the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons. Horses were divided into 3 age groups; young (3-35 months), mature (36-99 months) and older horses (100-212 months). Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationship between age and kinematics. Results: Tendon strain decreased in young horses, stayed constant in mature horses and increased in older horses. Joint angles showed significant negative correlation in young horses, with coefficients of -0.88 (MCP) and -0.81 (DIP). In mature horses, correlations were not significant (P = 0.2 for MCP; P = 0.5 for DIP). In older horses, angles showed significant positive correlation, with coefficients of 0.62 (MCP) and 0.48 (DIP). Conclusions: Joint angles decreased in the young horse as tendon stiffness increases, remained constant in the mature horse where tendon stiffness is constant and increased in older horses as tendons weakens and stiffness decreases. Strain patterns were similar to those found in vitro. Potential relevance: Changing tendon stiffness appeared to influence the development and degeneration of gait. This has implications for studying musculoskeletal development, especially for identification of normal and pathological development.
Author(s): Addis PR, Lawson SEM
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Equine Veterinary Journal
Year: 2010
Volume: 42
Issue: s38
Pages: 556-560
Print publication date: 01/11/2010
ISSN (print): 0425-1644
ISSN (electronic): 2042-3306
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00296.x
DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00296.x
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric
