Biomechanical testing of the calcified metacarpal articular surface and its association with subchondral bone microstructure in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Commencement of race training is associated with altered material properties of the calcified articular surface in horses. Reduced articular surface material properties can also be detected in horses that have fatigue injuries of the distal metacarpus and at other sites in the skeleton. Measures of SCB connectivity and trabecular surface shape may be more important determinants of resistance to failure of the calcified articular surface than traditional measures such as SCB volume and density.