Gait analysis

Objective assessment of the compensatory effect of clinical hind limb lameness in horses: 37 cases (2011-2014)

OBJECTIVE: To characterize and describe the compensatory load redistribution that results from unilateral hind limb lameness in horses.

DESIGN: Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS: 37 client-owned horses.

Category: Equine - Gait analysis - Lameness - Motion Analysis
Associations of force plate and body-mounted inertial sensor measurements for identification of hind limb lameness in horses

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between inertial sensor and stationary force plate measurements of hind limb lameness in horses. ANIMALS 21 adult horses with no lameness or with mild hind limb lameness.

Category: Equine - Gait analysis - Lameness - Motion Analysis
The use of low doses of acepromazine as an aid for lameness diagnosis in horses: An accelerometric evaluation

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to quantify by accelerometry the trotting pattern of adult horses sedated with two different doses of acepromazine, in order to assess the use of this drug in equine lameness evaluations.

Category: Anaesthesia - Diagnostic Analgesia - Equine - Gait analysis - Lameness
Identifying optimal parameters for quantification of changes in pelvic movement symmetry as a response to diagnostic analgesia in the hindlimbs of horses
Authors: T. Pfau, C. Spicer-Jenkins, R. K. Smith, D. M. Bolt, A. Fiske-Jackson and T. H. Witte
Journal: Equine Veterinary Journal

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Subjective evaluation of the response to diagnostic analgesia of hindlimb lameness is influenced by expectation bias. Quantification of pelvic movement with inertial measurement units is possible, but it is unclear which measure of movement symmetry best reflects the changes seen after diagnostic analgesia.

Category: Diagnostic Analgesia - Equine - Gait analysis - Lameness
Identifying optimal parameters for quantification of changes in pelvic movement symmetry as a response to diagnostic analgesia in the hindlimbs of horses
Authors: T. Pfau, C. Spicer-Jenkins, R. K. Smith, D. M. Bolt, A. Fiske-Jackson and T. H. Witte
Journal: Equine Veterinary Journal

Summary

Reasons for performing study

Subjective evaluation of the response to diagnostic analgesia of hindlimb lameness is influenced by expectation bias. Quantification of pelvic movement with inertial measurement units is possible, but it is unclear which measure of movement symmetry best reflects the changes seen after diagnostic analgesia.

Category: Diagnosis - Equine - Gait analysis - Lameness
A preliminary study on pressure-plate evaluation of forelimb toe–heel and mediolateral hoof balance on a hard vs. a soft surface in sound ponies at the walk and trot
Authors: M. Oosterlinck, E. Royaux, W. Back and F. Pille
Journal: Equine Veterinary Journal

Reasons for performing study

Thus far, pressure-plate analysis has been limited to measurements on a hard surface, whereas equine athletes routinely perform on a deformable substrate.
Objectives

To explore pressure-plate analysis on arena footing.
Study design

Nonrandomised crossover study using noninvasive techniques.
Methods

Category: Equine - Gait analysis - Podiatry
Use of Body-Mounted Inertial Sensors to Objectively Evaluate the Response to Perineural Analgesia of the Distal Limb and Intra-articular Analgesia of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint in Horses With Forelimb Lameness
Authors: Porrakote K. Rungsri, Wolfgang Staecker, Pitiporn Leelamankong, Roberto J. Estrada, Thorben Schulze, Christoph J. Lischer
Journal: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

Diagnostic analgesia of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint is theoretically helpful to localize the source of pain in the foot to the joint and/or navicular bursa. However, it has been suggested that potential diffusion of local anesthetic agent to nearby distal limb nerves may anesthetize other areas of the foot. The objective of this study was to compare the results of palmar digital (PD) and abaxial sesamoid (AS) nerve blocks to intra-articular anesthesia of the DIP joint in horses with distal forelimb lameness.

Category: Diagnostic Analgesia - Equine - Gait analysis - Lameness
Use of an inertial measurement unit to assess the effect of forelimb lameness on three-dimensional hoof orientation in horses at a walk and trot
Authors: Valerie J. Moorman, Raoul F. Reiser , Christie A. Mahaffey, Michael L. Peterson, C. Wayne McIlwraith, Christopher E. Kawcak
Journal: American Journal of Veterinary Research

Objective—To determine intralimb orientation changes with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) in hooves of horses at a walk and trot after induction of weight-bearing single forelimb lameness and to determine whether hoof orientations are similar to baseline values following perineural anesthesia.

Animals—6 clinically normal horses.

Category: Equine - Gait analysis - Lameness
The effects of three-month oral supplementation with a nutraceutical and exercise on the locomotor pattern of aged horses
Authors: M. H. Higler, H. Brommer, J. J. L'Ami, J. C. de Grauw, M. Nielen, P. R. van Weeren, S. Laverty, A. Barneveld and W. Back
Journal: Equine Veterinary Journal

Summary

Reasons for performing study

Multiple in vitro studies assessing articular tissues have indicated that glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate may possess anti-inflammatory effects, but little is known of their clinical effects in vivo. Many old horses have stiff joints, which is likely to be attributable to inflammation and therapy with these nutraceutical compounds could improve joint function.

Objectives

To assess the clinical effects of a mixed supplement on the improvement of stiff gait in aged horses.

Category: Equine - Gait analysis
Effect of Lungeing and Circle Size on Movement Symmetry in Sound Riding Horses
Authors: MH Thomsen, C Sahl-Tjørnholm, H Sørensen and A Tolver
Journal: Equine Veterinary Journal

Introduction

Evaluation of the movement during trot in circles is commonly used in clinical equine lameness examinations to exacerbate mild or bilateral lameness. Sound horses trotting in a straight line have a high degree of movement symmetry, which decreases with lameness. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lungeing and circle size on movement symmetry in sound horses.

Category: Equine - Gait analysis