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Equine veterinary journal2005; 36(8); 727-733; doi: 10.2746/0425164044848244

Compensatory load redistribution of horses with induced weightbearing hindlimb lameness trotting on a treadmill.

Abstract: The compensatory mechanisms of horses with weightbearing hindlimb lameness are still not fully understood. Objective: That weightbearing, unilateral hindlimb lameness would not only alter stride characteristics to diminish structural stress in the affected limb but also induce compensatory load adjustments in the other supporting limbs. Objective: To document the load and time shifting mechanisms of horses with unilateral weightbearing hindlimb lameness. Methods: Reversible lameness was induced in 8 clinically sound horses by applying a solar pressure model. Three degrees of lameness (subtle, mild and moderate) were induced and compared with the nonlame (sound) control measurement. Vertical ground reaction forces were recorded for all 4 limbs simultaneously on an instrumented treadmill. Results: Compared to the sound situation, moderate hindlimb hoof lameness induced a decrease in stride duration (-3.3%) and stride impulse (-3.1%). Diagonal impulse decreased selectively in the lame diagonal stance (-7.7%). Within the diagonal limb pair, vertical impulse was shifted to the forelimb during the lame diagonal stance (+6.5%) and to the hindlimb during the sound diagonal stance (+3.2%). Peak vertical force and vertical impulse decreased in the lame limb (-15%), but only vertical impulse increased in the contralateral hindlimb (+5.7%). Stance duration was prolonged in both hindlimbs (+2.5%). Suspension duration was reduced to a greater extent after push-off of the lame diagonal limb pair (-21%) than after the sound diagonal limb pair (-9.2%). Conclusions: Four compensatory mechanisms could be identified that served to reduce structural stress, i.e. peak vertical force on the affected limb: 1) reduction of the total vertical impulse per stride; 2) diagonal impulse decreased selectively in the lame diagonal; 3) impulse was shifted within the lame diagonal to the forelimb and in the sound diagonal to the hindlimb; and 4) the rate of loading and peak forces were reduced by prolonging the stance duration. Conclusions: Load shifting mechanisms are not only effective in diminishing peak forces in the affected limb, but also suppress compensatory overload in other limbs. Selected force and time parameters allow the unequivocal identification of the lame limb. Future studies have to examine how far these compensatory mechanisms may be generalised for other defined orthopaedic problems in the hindlimb.
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Publication Date: 2005-01-20 PubMed ID: 15656505DOI: 10.2746/0425164044848244Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study investigates how horses with hindlimb lameness adjust their load distribution when trotting on a treadmill. It found four primary compensatory mechanisms that horses use to reduce stress on the affected limb and further discovered that these mechanisms can also prevent compensatory overload in other limbs.

Methods Used in the Study

The study was conducted on eight clinically sound horses. The researchers artificially induced lameness in these horses through a solar pressure model, then observed how the horses adjusted their trotting behavior. They used three degrees of lameness: subtle, mild, and moderate, and compared their observations to a non-lame control group. By recording vertical ground reaction forces of all four limbs on an instrumented treadmill, they were able to quantitatively measure weight distribution patterns.

Findings of the Study

  • For horses with moderate hindlimb hoof lameness, there was a decrease in both stride duration and stride impulse compared to the sound control group.
  • The impulse was selectively decreased in the lame diagonal stance.
  • Within the pair of diagonal limbs, the vertical impulse was shifted primarily to the forelimb during the lame diagonal stance, and to the hindlimb during the sound diagonal stance.
  • While both peak vertical force and vertical impulse decreased in the affected limb, only vertical impulse increased in the opposite hindlimb.
  • Duration of stance was prolonged in both hindlimbs, which reduced the rate of loading and peak forces by spreading the forces over a longer period.
  • Duration of suspension for the limb pair that included the affected hindlimb was notably reduced.

Conclusions of the Study

The study identified four main compensatory mechanisms that reduce stress on the affected limb. These include reducing the total vertical impulse per stride, decreasing the diagonal impulse in the lame diagonal, shifting the impulse within the lame diagonal to the forelimb and in the sound diagonal to the hindlimb, and reducing the rate of loading and peak forces by elongating the duration of stance. Importantly, these load shifting mechanisms can also prevent overload in other, non-affected limbs. The study also determined that selected force and time parameters can be used to identify the lame limb.

Future studies are recommended to explore if these compensatory mechanisms apply to other forms of orthopedic issues in the hindlimbs of horses. This study contributes to the understanding of horse biomechanics, pathophysiology of lameness, and could influence therapeutic approaches.

Cite This Article

APA
Weishaupt MA, Wiestner T, Hogg HP, Jordan P, Auer JA. (2005). Compensatory load redistribution of horses with induced weightbearing hindlimb lameness trotting on a treadmill. Equine Vet J, 36(8), 727-733. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044848244

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 8
Pages: 727-733

Researcher Affiliations

Weishaupt, M A
  • Equine Hospital, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Wiestner, T
    Hogg, H P
      Jordan, P
        Auer, J A

          MeSH Terms

          • Adaptation, Physiological
          • Animals
          • Disease Models, Animal
          • Exercise Test / veterinary
          • Gait / physiology
          • Hindlimb / physiopathology
          • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
          • Horses / physiology
          • Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
          • Stress, Mechanical
          • Weight-Bearing

          Citations

          This article has been cited 24 times.
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