Comparison of subjective lameness evaluation, force platforms and an inertial-sensor system to identify mild lameness in an equine osteoarthritis model.
Abstract: When mild lameness exists, agreement between clinicians is often controversial due to its subjective nature. The goal of the study was to compare subjective and objective methods to identify the presence of mild lameness using an established model of osteoarthritis (OA) in which OA was induced by creating a unilateral carpal osteochondral fragment (OCF) in the middle carpal joint of 16 horses. Subjective lameness evaluations (blinded and unblinded), force platforms (FP), and an inertial-sensor system (ISS) were used to detect forelimb lameness at four time points. Limbs identified as lame by each method were compared as well as compared with the OCF limb at each time point. Spearman correlations were calculated between all outcome parameters. Independent of time, blinded subjective evaluation (54%) and the ISS (60%) identified a higher percentage of horses as lame in the OCF limb compared to FP (40%). Blinded subjective evaluation and the ISS agreed which forelimb was lame more often (50%) compared with blinded subjective evaluation and the FP (38%). Induction of mild lameness within the OCF limb was supported by an increase in the frequency of horses considered lame by both subjective evaluations the ISS and a decrease (3.6%) in mean (among all horses) peak vertical force from baseline to post OCF induction. The percentage of horses identified as lame in the OCF limb, independent of time, was highest with the ISS (60%) followed by blinded subjective evaluation (51%) and the FP (42%). It was concluded that the best agreement was between subjective evaluation and the inertial-sensor system.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2015-08-10 PubMed ID: 26361749DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.08.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- N.I.H.
- Extramural
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates how mild lameness in horses, caused by an induced osteoarthritis model, can be identified using different methods. These methods include subjective lameness evaluation, force platforms, and an inertial-sensor system, which were tested over different periods of time. The study found the most agreement in identifying lame horses between subjective evaluation and the inertial-sensor system.
Objective and Methodology
- The study aimed to compare subjective and objective methods in identifying mild lameness in horses. The research team induced osteoarthritis in 16 horses by creating a unilateral carpal osteochondral fragment in their middle carpal joint, which is a commonly used method to simulate osteoarthritis. The horse’s reactions and behavior were then assessed over four time points using different methods.
Methods of Evaluation
- Subjective lameness evaluations (both blinded and unblinded) were used. This method relies on an expert’s opinion who assesses the horse’s gait and behavior to determine if they show signs of lameness.
- Force platforms (FP) were employed. This tool measures the force exerted by a horse’s limb when it strikes and leaves the platform, which can indicate any changes likely due to lameness.
- An inertial-sensor system (ISS) was used. This device records movement data from accelerometers and gyroscopes which can track any subtle behavioral changes of the horse that may indicate lameness.
Comparisons and Findings
- Once the evaluations were done, limbs that were identified as lame by each of these methods were compared with each other as well as against the limb with the osteochondral fragment.
- This comparison showed that the ISS and the blinded subjective evaluation identified a higher percentage of horses as lame on the osteoarthritic limb compared to the force platform. Beyond just the osteoarthritic limb, the ISS and subjective evaluation also had the highest agreement on which limb was lame compared to the force platform and subjective evaluation.
- The induction of lameness was supported by a rise in the frequency of horses considered lame by both subjective evaluations and ISS, along with a decrease in the mean peak vertical force from baseline to post-osteochondral fragment induction.
Conclusion
- Overall, the research concluded that the best agreement in identification of lameness was found between subjective evaluation and the inertial-sensor system. This suggests that these two methods might be more accurate in detecting mild lameness in horses, compared to the use of a force platform.
Cite This Article
APA
Donnell JR, Frisbie DD, King MR, Goodrich LR, Haussler KK.
(2015).
Comparison of subjective lameness evaluation, force platforms and an inertial-sensor system to identify mild lameness in an equine osteoarthritis model.
Vet J, 206(2), 136-142.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.08.004 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Gail Holmes Equine Orthopedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
- Gail Holmes Equine Orthopedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. Electronic address: david.frisbie@colostate.edu.
- Gail Holmes Equine Orthopedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
- Gail Holmes Equine Orthopedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
- Gail Holmes Equine Orthopedic Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Accelerometry / veterinary
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Forelimb / pathology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Lameness, Animal / pathology
- Osteoarthritis / diagnosis
- Osteoarthritis / veterinary
Grant Funding
- K08AR054903-01A2 / NIAMS NIH HHS
Citations
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