Mathematical modelling of subchondral bone adaptation, microdamage, and repair in Thoroughbred racehorses

MichaelPan

The University of Melbourne

"Mathematical modelling of subchondral bone adaptation, microdamage, and repair in Thoroughbred racehorses"

Musculoskeletal injuries can significantly impact the careers of racehorses, and are a common cause of lost training days and fatality. Most bone injuries arise from the gradual accumulation of microcracks through repeated training rather than spontaneous events. If severe enough, cracks may propagate through the bone and lead to fractures, often necessitating euthanasia. While training promotes bone adaptation to higher mechanical loads, overtraining can cause excessive damage. To better understand the biological processes underlying bone injury, we developed a lumped parameter model that combines the processes of bone adaptation, microdamage accumulation and bone repair. The model parameters were calibrated to experimental observations of bone volume fraction and time to fracture in racehorses. A sensitivity analysis identified joint loads (arising from training speed) and strides per day (arising from training distance) as key factors contributing to bone damage. Simulations of a typical training program showed that the majority of damage is incurred from training at racing speeds. While some microdamage is repaired during training, our model estimates that this process is insufficient to offset the damage accumulated. These findings emphasise the critical role of regular rest in preventing bone injury.
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