Assessment of tuber coxae bone biopsy in the standing horse.
Authors: Mitchell Colin F, Richbourg Heather A, Goupil Brad A, Gillett Ashley N, McNulty Margaret A
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Tuber Coxae Bone Biopsy in Standing Horses: A Practical Technique Assessment Obtaining reliable bone biopsies from live horses has historically been challenging, particularly for research into bone quality, remodelling, and pathology; Mitchell and colleagues set out to validate a standing technique using an oscillating saw at the tuber coxae that would minimise complications whilst preserving bone architecture. Ten Thoroughbreds underwent bilateral biopsies separated by 60 days under sedation, with samples evaluated by micro-computed tomography and both decalcified and undecalcified histological processing to assess tissue integrity. All biopsies proved diagnostically excellent with no significant post-operative complications, and crucially, the samples were substantially larger than previously described methods and large enough to permit multiple histological sections from a single collection site. MicroCT and light microscopy confirmed that bone architecture remained intact and undamaged, a critical requirement for accurate assessment of trabecular and cortical bone quality. For equine practitioners and researchers investigating bone disorders, performance-limiting pathologies, or metabolic bone disease, this technique offers a minimally invasive method to collect sequential bone samples for histomorphometric analysis, potentially enabling longitudinal monitoring of healing responses or disease progression without repeated surgical intervention.
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Practical Takeaways
- •This technique enables reliable bone sampling from standing horses with minimal recovery time and morbidity, making serial monitoring of bone quality feasible in clinical practice
- •The method produces large, high-quality samples suitable for detailed histologic and microCT analysis without requiring general anesthesia
- •Bilateral sequential sampling capability allows within-horse comparison and longitudinal assessment of bone changes over time
Key Findings
- •Standing sedated biopsy technique using oscillating saw from tuber coxae produced no significant complications in 10 Thoroughbreds
- •Biopsies yielded larger samples with intact architecture compared to previously described methods
- •Sequential bilateral biopsies separated by 60 days were well-tolerated and of good histologic quality suitable for both decalcified and undecalcified analysis