title: Core decompression of the equine navicular bone: an in vitro biomechanical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of core decompression surgery and bone mineral density (BMD) on the mechanical properties of equine navicular bones.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental, in vitro study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fore limb navicular bones (n=36 pairs) from sound 2-5-year-old horses with no radiographic abnormalities of the distal aspect of the forelimbs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Navicular BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. One randomly assigned navicular bone from each pair served as control. The contralateral test specimen was allocated to 1 of 6 treatment groups defined by drill bit size (3.2 versus 2.5 mm diameter) and by the number of drill channels (1, 2, or 3) created in the proximal border of the bone. Bones were then tested until failure in 3-point bending. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant (P<.001) positive correlations between BMD and biomechanical data. A significant (P<.001) reduction in breaking strength was noted between intact and drilled bone pairs; however, the diameter and number of decompression channels did not significantly (P>.05) influence the extent of the reduction in mechanical strength.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In vitro core decompression significantly decreases the breaking strength of the equine navicular bone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Surgery, University College Dublin, Ireland. florien.jenner@ucd.ie
authors.forename: Florien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jenner
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kirker-Head
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D019245:Compressive Strength; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D006736:Horses / Q000601:surgery*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*