The increased incidence of leg abnormalities, particularly tibial dysc
hondroplasia, in chickens could be related to changes in tibiotarsal c
ancellous bone properties. To explore this hypothesis, the relationshi
p between lesion occurrence and various tibiotarsal growth parameters,
and subchondral bone strength characteristics was investigated. A hig
her elastic modulus, meaning the cancellous bone was more rigid, was s
een for tibiotarsal cancellous bone with lesions. Microfractures in ca
ncellous bone, particularly in the medial growth plate region, may lea
d to overall bone conformation changes and therefore to lameness.