Influence of muscle-tendon wrapping on calculations of joint reaction forces in the equine distal forelimb.
The equine distal forelimb is a common location of injuries related to mechanical overload. In this study, a two-dimensional model of the musculoskeletal system of the region was developed and applied to kinematic and kinetic data from walking and trotting horses. The forces in major tendons and joint reaction forces were calculated. The components of the joint reaction forces caused by wrapping of tendons around sesamoid bones were found to be of similar magnitude to the reaction forces between the long bones at each joint. This finding highlighted the importance of taking into account muscle-tendon wrapping when evaluating joint loading in the equine distal forelimb.
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Melbourne School of Engineering, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. merritt@unimelb.edu.au
Jonathan S
JS
Merritt
Helen M S
HM
Davies
Colin
C
Burvill
Marcus G
MG
Pandy
D000818:Animals; D019245:Compressive Strength / Q000502:physiology; D033023:Foot Joints / Q000502:physiology; D005552:Forelimb / Q000502:physiology*; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D012716:Sesamoid Bones / Q000502:physiology; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology*; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology