-
Journal of Dairy Science Nov 2018Dystocia and perinatal calf mortality cause significant economic losses in the dairy cattle industry. Despite advanced ultrasound examination procedures, there is no...
Dystocia and perinatal calf mortality cause significant economic losses in the dairy cattle industry. Despite advanced ultrasound examination procedures, there is no reliable method to estimate the birth weight of calves in order to predict, prepartum, the risk of dystocia. The aim of this study was to predict calf birth weight and dystocia based on transrectal ultrasonographic (TRUS) examinations in late-term Holstein heifers and cows. Therefore, TRUS examination was performed on 128 animals that were between 265 and 282 d of gestation to measure the bone thickness of the fetal metacarpus (MC) or metatarsus (MT). Fetal TRUS measurements were successful in 104 cases. Excluding twin deliveries, 97 fetal MC/MT bone thicknesses were measured and the mean (±SD) MC/MT thickness was 2.54 ± 0.37 cm. A novel index, the metacarpal/metatarsal index [MCTI = maternal body weight (kg)/fetal MC or MT thickness (cm)], was also calculated to study its association with calving ease. The average MCTI was 257.3 kg/cm in the studied population. A lower MCTI was associated with the risk of dystocia with an odds ratio of 2.074 that was not significantly different from 1 (95% confidence interval: 0.002-11.104). Fetal presentation, fetal age, fetal sex, body condition score of the dam, age of dam, and intercoxal and interischiadic distances were not related to dystocia. A fair phenotypic correlation (0.226) was found between MC/MT thickness and calf birth weight. The genetic correlation between MC/MT thickness and calf birth weight was 0.235. Our results indicate that late-term measurement of the fetal MC/MT bone thickness by means of TRUS examination augmented with the MCTI may have clinical significance in the prediction of dystocia in Holstein cattle. Because the odds ratio for dystocia based on MCTI determination was not significant, the applied technique should be improved based on further studies on prepartum TRUS examinations combined with dam pelvic measurements.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Birth Weight; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Dystocia; Female; Gestational Age; Metacarpal Bones; Metatarsal Bones; Odds Ratio; Pregnancy; Risk; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 30197149
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-14658 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Aug 2018The primate foot functions as a grasping organ. As such, its bones, soft tissues, and joints evolved to maximize power and stability in a variety of grasping...
The primate foot functions as a grasping organ. As such, its bones, soft tissues, and joints evolved to maximize power and stability in a variety of grasping configurations. Humans are the obvious exception to this primate pattern, with feet that evolved to support the unique biomechanical demands of bipedal locomotion. Of key functional importance to bipedalism is the morphology of the joints at the forefoot, known as the metatarsophalangeal joints (MTPJs), but a comprehensive analysis of hominin MTPJ morphology is currently lacking. Here we present the results of a multivariate shape and Bayesian phylogenetic comparative analyses of metatarsals (MTs) from a broad selection of anthropoid primates (including fossil apes and stem catarrhines) and most of the early hominin pedal fossil record, including the oldest hominin for which good pedal remains exist, Results corroborate the importance of specific bony morphologies such as dorsal MT head expansion and "doming" to the evolution of terrestrial bipedalism in hominins. Further, our evolutionary models reveal that the MT1 of shifts away from the reconstructed optimum of our last common ancestor with apes, but not necessarily in the direction of modern humans. However, the lateral rays of are transformed in a more human-like direction, suggesting that they were the digits first recruited by hominins into the primary role of terrestrial propulsion. This pattern of evolutionary change is seen consistently throughout the evolution of the foot, highlighting the mosaic nature of pedal evolution and the emergence of a derived, modern hallux relatively late in human evolution.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Hominidae; Metatarsal Bones; Phylogeny
PubMed: 30104373
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1800818115 -
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research Oct 2020Measurements of plantar loading reveal foot-to-floor interaction during activity, but information on bone architecture cannot be derived. Recently, cone-beam computer...
BACKGROUND
Measurements of plantar loading reveal foot-to-floor interaction during activity, but information on bone architecture cannot be derived. Recently, cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT) has given visual access to skeletal structures in weight-bearing. The combination of the two measures has the potential to improve clinical understanding and prevention of diabetic foot ulcers. This study explores the correlations between static 3D bone alignment and dynamic plantar loading.
METHODS
Sixteen patients with diabetes were enrolled (group ALL): 15 type 1 with (N, 7) and without (D, 8) diabetic neuropathy, and 1 with latent autoimmune diabetes. CBCT foot scans were taken in single-leg upright posture. 3D bone models were obtained by image segmentation and aligned in a foot anatomical reference frame. Absolute inclination and relative orientation angles and heights of the bones were calculated. Pressure patterns were also acquired during barefoot level walking at self-selected speed, from which regional peak pressure and absolute and normalised pressure-time integral were worked out at hallux and at first, central and fifth metatarsals (LOAD variables) as averaged over five trials. Correlations with 3D alignments were searched also with arch index, contact time, age, BMI, years of disease and a neuropathy-related variable.
RESULTS
Lateral and 3D angles showed the highest percentage of significant (p < 0.05) correlations with LOAD. These were weak-to-moderate in the ALL group, moderate-to-strong in N and D. LOAD under the central metatarsals showed moderate-to-strong correlation with plantarflexion of the 2nd and 3rd phalanxes in ALL and N. LOAD at the hallux increased with plantarflexion at the 3rd phalanx in ALL, at 1st phalanx in N and at 5th phalanx in D. Arch index correlated with 1st phalanx plantarflexion in ALL and D; contact time showed strong correlation with 2nd and 3rd metatarsals and with 4th phalanx dorsiflexion in D.
CONCLUSION
These preliminary original measures reveal that alteration of plantar dynamic loading patterns can be accounted for peculiar structural changes of foot bones. Load under the central metatarsal heads were correlated more with inclination of the corresponding phalanxes than metatarsals. Further analyses shall detect to which extent variables play a role in the many group-specific correlations.
Topics: Aged; Body Mass Index; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diabetic Foot; Female; Foot Bones; Hallux; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Male; Metatarsal Bones; Middle Aged; Models, Anatomic; Plantar Plate; Pressure; Walking; Weight-Bearing
PubMed: 33126903
DOI: 10.1186/s13047-020-00431-x -
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related... Jul 2010Congenital brachymetatarsia, a shortened metatarsal bone, can be corrected surgically by callus distraction or one-stage lengthening using bone graft.
BACKGROUND
Congenital brachymetatarsia, a shortened metatarsal bone, can be corrected surgically by callus distraction or one-stage lengthening using bone graft.
QUESTIONS/PURPOSES
We asked whether one-stage metatarsal lengthening using metatarsal homologous bone graft could improve forefoot function, lead to metatarsal healing, restore metatarsal parabola, and improve cosmetic appearance.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 29 patients (41 feet) in whom we lengthened 50 metatarsals. Surgery consisted of a transverse proximal osteotomy of the metatarsal shaft and interposition of a metatarsal homologous bone graft (average, 13 mm long) fixed with an intramedullary Kirschner wire. Minimum followup was 3 years (mean, 5 years; range, 3-11 years).
RESULTS
Bone union was achieved in all cases. The mean preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 37 points (range, 28-53 points) and the mean postoperative score was 88 points (range, 74-96 points), with an average improvement of 51 points. Radiographically, the mean gain in length was 13 mm (range, 10-15 mm), and the mean percentage increase was 23%.
CONCLUSIONS
One-stage metatarsal lengthening using interposition of metatarsal homologous bone graft to correct congenital brachymetatarsia has low morbidity for the patient, limited complications, short recovery times, and restores forefoot anatomy.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Bone Lengthening; Bone Transplantation; Child; Female; Foot Deformities, Congenital; Humans; Male; Metatarsal Bones; Osseointegration; Osteotomy; Prospective Studies; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Transplantation, Homologous; Young Adult
PubMed: 20058111
DOI: 10.1007/s11999-009-1212-0 -
American Journal of Veterinary Research Mar 2012To evaluate the precision and accuracy of assessing bone mineral density (BMD) by use of mean gray value (MGV) on digitalized and digital images of conventional and...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the precision and accuracy of assessing bone mineral density (BMD) by use of mean gray value (MGV) on digitalized and digital images of conventional and digital radiographs, respectively, of ex vivo bovine and equine bone specimens in relation to the gold-standard technique of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
SAMPLE
Left and right metatarsal bones from 11 beef cattle and right femurs from 2 horses.
PROCEDURES
Bovine specimens were imaged by use of conventional radiography, whereas equine specimens were imaged by use of computed radiography (digital radiography). Each specimen was subsequently scanned by use of the same DEXA equipment. The BMD values resulting from each DEXA scan were paired with the MGVs obtained by use of software on the corresponding digitalized or digital radiographic image.
RESULTS
The MGV analysis of digitalized and digital x-ray images was a precise (coefficient of variation, 0.1 and 0.09, respectively) and highly accurate method for assessing BMD, compared with DEXA (correlation coefficient, 0.910 and 0.937 for conventional and digital radiography, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The high correlation between MGV and BMD indicated that MGV analysis may be a reliable alternative to DEXA in assessing radiographic bone density. This may provide a new, inexpensive, and readily available estimate of BMD.
Topics: Absorptiometry, Photon; Animals; Bone Density; Cattle; Horses; Metatarsal Bones; Radiographic Image Enhancement; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Radiography
PubMed: 22369530
DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.73.3.381 -
Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za... Aug 2020To explore the effectiveness of the first-stage debridement and Ilizarov metatarsal bone lengthening in treatment of diabetic foot ulcer complicated with chronic...
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effectiveness of the first-stage debridement and Ilizarov metatarsal bone lengthening in treatment of diabetic foot ulcer complicated with chronic osteomyelitis of metatarsal head.
METHODS
Between January 2015 and October 2018, 8 cases (9 feet, 11 sites) of diabetic foot ulcer complicated with chronic osteomyelitis of metatarsal head were treated by first-stage debridement and Ilizarov metatarsal bone lengthening. There were 3 males (4 feet, 5 sites) and 5 females (5 feet, 6 sites), with an average age of 57.5 years (range, 44-65 years). According to diabetic foot Wagner grade, 6 cases (7 feet) were grade 3 and 2 cases (2 feet) were grade 4. The chronic osteomyelitis located at left foot in 4 cases, right foot in 3 cases, and bilateral feet in 1 case. The duration of chronic osteomyelitis was 1-5 years (mean, 3.1 years). The chronic osteomyelitis site was the 1st metatarsal head in 3 feet, the 3rd metatarsal head in 1 foot, the 4th metatarsal head in 1 foot, and the 5th metatarsal head in 6 feet. Two patients had chronic osteomyelitis at 2 sites on 1 foot. The length of lengthened metatarsal bone, lengthening time, and the time of wearing external fixation frame were recorded, and the external fixation frame index was calculated. The healing conditions of foot ulcer and lengthening bone segment were observed, the healing time was recorded, and the healing index of lengthening bone was calculated. The ankle function was evaluated according to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score criteria.
RESULTS
All patients were followed up 9-26 months with an average of 15.0 months. Except pin tract infection during the bone lengthening period, there was no complications such as skin necrosis and vascular or nerve injury occurred during treatment. The length of lengthened metatarsal bone was 12-35 mm with an average of 20.5 mm; the metatarsal bone lengthening time were 21-84 days with an average of 57.8 days. The average time of wearing external fixation frame was 14.6 weeks (range, 10.4-21.1 weeks) and the external fixation frame index was 54.3 days/cm (range, 42.9-59.2 days/cm). The ulcer wound healed with an average healing time of 30.5 days (range, 19-70 days) and no ulcer recurrence was observed during follow-up. Bone healing was obtained in all bone lengthening segments, and the average healing index was 42.5 days/cm (range, 37-51 days/cm). The average AOFAS score was 91.7 (range, 87-95); 5 feet were excellent and 4 feet were good. The excellent and good rate was 100%.
CONCLUSION
The metatarsal bone lengthening under Ilizarov law of tension-stress after debridement can promote diabetic foot ulcers healing and reconstructing the length of metatarsal to retain the function of metatarsal load and avoid amputation. This is an effective method for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer complicated with chronic osteomyelitis of metatarsal head.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Amputation, Surgical; Bone Lengthening; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Foot; Female; Humans; Ilizarov Technique; Male; Metatarsal Bones; Middle Aged; Osteomyelitis; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32794669
DOI: 10.7507/1002-1892.201911070 -
The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery :... 2022Metatarsus adductus and hallux valgus are common foot deformities. Corrective surgery of hallux valgus feet with metatarsus adductus deformity can be challenging and...
Metatarsus adductus and hallux valgus are common foot deformities. Corrective surgery of hallux valgus feet with metatarsus adductus deformity can be challenging and experience a high deformity recurrence rate. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate if the syndesmosis procedure can correct such feet satisfactorily without osteotomies and arthrodesis. 75 hallux valgus feet in 45 patients with a Sgarlato's metatarsal adductus angle ≥15° were studied after having undergone the syndesmosis procedure for an average of 20.22 months. Their average preoperative intermetatarsal angle of 12.56° was improved to 6.00° (p < .001) and metatarsophalangeal angle from 35.61° to 23.46° (p < .001) significantly. Their average American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society's clinical scores improved significantly from 56.41 to 90.53 points (p < .001). Fifty-five feet (73.33%) had preoperative metatarsal calluses, and all but 3 had a noticeable reduction in severity. Forty-one patients (91.11%) were able to return to their desired activities and footwear. All relevant raw data formed this study, including x-ray and photographic images, were submitted as Supplementary Material for online viewing and reference. Despite the possible intrinsic rigidity of metatarsus adductus forefoot, this study demonstrated that hallux valgus feet with metatarsus adductus deformity could be corrected anatomically and functionally with the soft tissue syndesmosis procedure and without correcting the preexisting metatarsus adductus deformity. This study also supports the notion that the MA deformity accentuates hallux valgus alignment preoperatively and postoperatively, and possibly all feet in general.
Topics: Bunion; Hallux Valgus; Humans; Metatarsal Bones; Metatarsus Varus; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34657809
DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2021.09.006 -
Journal of Clinical Densitometry : the... 2011Diabetic foot diseases, such as ulcerations, infections, and neuropathic (Charcot's) arthropathy, are major complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral...
Diabetic foot diseases, such as ulcerations, infections, and neuropathic (Charcot's) arthropathy, are major complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral neuropathy (PN) and may cause osteolysis (bone loss) in foot bones. The purposes of our study were to make computed tomography (CT) measurements of foot-bone volumes and densities and to determine measurement precision (percent coefficients of variation for root-mean-square standard deviations) and least significant changes (LSCs) in these percentages that could be considered biologically real with 95% confidence. Volumetric quantitative CT scans were performed and repeated on 10 young healthy subjects and 13 subjects with DM and PN. Two raters used the original- and repeat-scan data sets to make measurements of volumes and bone mineral densities (BMDs) of the tarsal and metatarsal bones of the 2 feet (24 bones). Precisions for the bones ranged from 0.1% to 0.9% for volume measurements and from 0.6% to 1.9% for BMD measurements. The LSCs ranged from 0.4% to 2.5% for volume measurements and from 1.5% to 5.4% for BMD measurements. Volumetric quantitative CT provides precise measurements of volume and BMD for metatarsal and tarsal bones, where diabetic foot diseases commonly occur.
Topics: Adult; Bone Density; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Diabetic Foot; Female; Humans; Male; Metatarsal Bones; Tarsal Bones
PubMed: 21723764
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocd.2011.05.006 -
Annals of Biomedical Engineering Oct 2023Mechanical loading has been described as having the potential to affect bone growth. In order to experimentally study the potential clinical applications of mechanical...
Mechanical loading has been described as having the potential to affect bone growth. In order to experimentally study the potential clinical applications of mechanical loading as a novel treatment to locally modulate bone growth, there is a need to develop a portable mechanical loading device enabling studies in small bones. Existing devices are bulky and challenging to transfer within and between laboratories and animal facilities, and they do not offer user-friendly mechanical testing across both ex vivo cultured small bones and in vivo animal models. To address this, we developed a portable loading device comprised of a linear actuator fixed within a stainless-steel frame equipped with suitable structures and interfaces. The actuator, along with the supplied control system, can achieve high-precision force control within the desired force and frequency range, allowing various load application scenarios. To validate the functionality of this new device, proof-of-concept studies were performed in ex vivo cultured rat bones of varying sizes. First, very small fetal metatarsal bones were microdissected and exposed to 0.4 N loading applied at 0.77 Hz for 30 s. When bone lengths were measured after 5 days in culture, loaded bones had grown less than unloaded controls (p < 0.05). Next, fetal rat femur bones were periodically exposed to 0.4 N loading at 0.77 Hz while being cultured ex vivo for 12 days. Interestingly, this loading regimen had the opposite effect on bone growth, i.e., loaded femur bones grew significantly more than unloaded controls (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that complex relationships between longitudinal bone growth and mechanical loading can be determined using this device. We conclude that our new portable mechanical loading device allows experimental studies in small bones of varying sizes, which may facilitate further preclinical studies exploring the potential clinical applications of mechanical loading.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Mechanical Phenomena; Bone Development; Fetus; Metatarsal Bones; Weight-Bearing; Stress, Mechanical
PubMed: 37314663
DOI: 10.1007/s10439-023-03258-2 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery (Hong... Apr 2014To measure the percentage of the transverse arch length (%TAL) in 2 positions using a 3-dimensional motion capture system to determine the flexibility of the transverse...
PURPOSE
To measure the percentage of the transverse arch length (%TAL) in 2 positions using a 3-dimensional motion capture system to determine the flexibility of the transverse arch of the forefoot.
METHODS
19 men and 10 women with no lower extremity injury or deformity were included. The %TAL of the left foot was measured using a digital caliper in the standing position and the lower leg maximum anterior tilting (LMAT) position. The difference in the %TAL between the 2 positions (δ%TAL) was calculated. 10 markers were mounted on skin over each metatarsal head and base of the left foot. Motion was captured using a 3-dimensional motion capture system. Coordinates of each marker were manually digitised. The percentage of the transverse arch height (%TAH) and angle between the first and fifth metatarsals (M1M5) were calculated, and differences in each forefoot parameter in the 2 positions were defined as δ%TAL, δ%TAH, δM1M5, and the fore foot flexibility magnitude (FFM) was calculated. Subjects were divided into 3 groups based on their δ%TAL: <25th percentile (hypo-flexibility group, n=7), >26th percentile to <74th percentile (control group, n=15), and >75th percentile (hyperflexibility group, n=7). The 3 groups were compared in terms of the δ%TAL. δ%TAH, δM1M5, and FFM.
RESULTS
The δ%TAL correlated with δM1M5 (r=0.61, p<0.001) and FFM (r=0.60, p=0.001). For the δM1M5, the hyper-flexibility group differed significantly from other groups (p=0.01). For the FFM, the hyperflexibility group differed significantly from the hypoflexibility group (p=0.02).
CONCLUSION
Measurement of the %TAL in both the standing and LMAT positions provides a simple and quantitative method of assessing the flexibility of the transverse arch of the forefoot.
Topics: Biomechanical Phenomena; Female; Forefoot, Human; Humans; Male; Metatarsal Bones; Posture; Reference Values; Walking; Young Adult
PubMed: 24781613
DOI: 10.1177/230949901402200113