Application of a Hall-effect transducer for measurement of tendon strains in horses.
Abstract: Custom-designed Hall-effect strain sensors (HES) were implanted surgically onto the superficial digital flexor tendons of the forelimbs of 4 adult Thoroughbreds. Strains were recorded at various gaits, using a portable amplifer and FM cassette recorder. Strain calculations used the original length (L) as the HES position with the forelimb in the relaxed neutral position during anesthesia. A characteristic deflection in the strain cycle recording was confirmed to correspond to initial hoof contact with the ground (heel strike) by simultaneous recording of weight bearing via a footswitch. Heel strike was used as the reference point to determine the magnitude of strain change during weight bearing and nonweight bearing under various conditions. The weight-bearing strains (heel strike to maximal strain) recorded in 2 horses (with a rider) were 3.1% and 7.6% at the walk, 6.5% and 10.1% at the trot, and 11.5% and 16.6% at the gallop. Strain rate during tendon loading at the gallop was approximately 200%/s. The magnitude of strain change during nonweight bearing (minimal strain to heel strike) was smaller than during weight bearing, but also increased with faster gaits. In 3 horses led at the walk and trot, modest increases in hoof angle (baseline 52 degrees) resulted in small increases in the magnitude of strain change during weight bearing at the trot, but the magnitude of strain change at the walk was not affected. Results of the study indicated that the HES can be successfully adapted to provide continuous strain measurement without subjective signs of discomfort or lameness in horses during or after instrumentation.
Publication Date: 1989-07-01 PubMed ID: 2774333
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article discusses a study aimed at measuring tendon strains in horses using Hall-effect strain sensors. The sensors record strain at various gaits and are adapted to be comfortable for the horses without causing any discernible physical discomfort or lameness during or after implementation.
Study and Procedure
- The researchers conducted a study where they implanted a custom-designed Hall-effect strain sensor onto the superficial digital flexor tendons in the forelimbs of four adult Thoroughbreds. The purpose of such sensor implementation was to measure and record the strain at various gaits.
- The method to record strains involved the use of a portable amplifier and an FM cassette recorder. Strain calculations used the original length (denoted as ‘L’) which was marked when the horse’s forelimb was in a relaxed neutral position during anesthesia.
- A significant part of the study was to accurately determine when the initial hoof contact with the ground occurred, also referred to as the heel strike. The identification of this phase was made by simultaneously recording weight-bearing via a footswitch.
Findings
- The researchers were successful in using the characteristic deflection in the strain cycle recording to classify the heel strike. This established a reference point to measure the magnitude of strain change during weight bearing and nonweight-bearing conditions.
- The study found that weight-bearing strains were much bigger than nonweight-bearing strains. For instance, the strains recorded in two horses with riders at the walk were 3.1% and 7.6%, and they respectively peaked to 11.5% and 16.6% at the gallop.
- The rate of strain when the tendons endured loading at the gallop was approximately 200% per second.
- The researchers also discovered a relationship between hoof angle and strain magnitude. Observations of three horses led at the walk and trot revealed modest increases in hoof angle (baseline 52 degrees), which resulted in minor increases in the magnitude of strain change during weight bearing at the trot. Interestingly, at the walk, no significant effect on the strain change was observed with changing hoof angle.
Conclusion
- The study showed that Hall-effect strain sensors can be successfully used in horses to monitor and measure tendon strains effectively without causing any noticeable discomfort or lameness. The sensor technology proved to be an efficient way of recording strain under various conditions and gaits.
Cite This Article
APA
Stephens PR, Nunamaker DM, Butterweck DM.
(1989).
Application of a Hall-effect transducer for measurement of tendon strains in horses.
Am J Vet Res, 50(7), 1089-1095.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Forelimb
- Gait
- Hoof and Claw
- Horses / physiology
- Prostheses and Implants / veterinary
- Stress, Mechanical
- Tendons / physiology
- Time Factors
- Transducers
Citations
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