Computer-assisted kinematic evaluation of induced compensatory movements resembling lameness in horses trotting on a treadmill.
Abstract: To characterize compensatory movements of the head and pelvis that resemble lameness in horses. Methods: 17 adult horses. Methods: Kinematic evaluations were performed while horses trotted on a treadmill before and after shoe-induced lameness. Lameness was quantified and the affected limb determined by algorithms that measured asymmetry in vertical movement of the head and pelvis. Induced primary lameness and compensatory movements resembling lameness were assessed by the Friedman test. Association between induced lameness and compensatory movements was examined by regression analysis. Results: Compensatory movements resembling lameness in the ipsilateral forelimb were seen with induced lameness of a hind limb. There was less downward and less upward head movement during and after the stance phase of the ipsilateral forelimb. Doubling the severity of lameness in the hind limb increased severity of the compensatory movements in the ipsilateral forelimb by 50%. Compensatory movements resembling lameness of the hind limb were seen after induced lameness in a forelimb. There was less upward movement of the pelvis after the stance phase of the contralateral hind limb and, to a lesser extent, less downward movement of the pelvis during the stance phase of the ipsilateral hind limb. Doubling the severity of lameness in the forelimb increased compensatory movements of the contralateral hind limb by 5%. Conclusions: Induced lameness in a hind limb causes prominent compensatory movements resembling lameness in the ipsilateral forelimb. Induced lameness in a forelimb causes slight compensatory movements resembling lameness in the ipsilateral and contralateral hind limbs.
Publication Date: 2005-05-20 PubMed ID: 15900946DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2005.66.646Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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This research investigates how induced lameness in horses alters the normal movements of the head and the pelvis. The experiment involved analyzing the changes in movement when lameness was artificially introduced in either the forelimb or hind limb of the horse while trotting on a treadmill.
Methodology
- A sample of 17 adult horses were used for the research.
- Lameness was artificially induced in the horses by altering their shoeing.
- The movements of the horses were then kinematically evaluated while they trotted on a treadmill, before and after shoe-induced lameness.
- Algorithms were used to measure asymmetry in the vertical movements of the head and the pelvis, this was used to identify and quantify the lameness.
- Statistical tools such as the Friedman test were used to evaluate the induced lameness and compensatory movements. Regression analysis was performed to examine the association between the induced lameness and compensatory movements.
Results
- The induced lameness of a hind limb resulted in compensatory movements that resembled lameness in the same side (ipsilateral) forelimb of the horse. These movements were marked by less downward and upward head movement during and after the stance phase of the forelimb.
- When the severity of lameness in the hind limb was doubled, it increased the severity of the compensatory movements in the ipsilateral forelimb by 50%.
- Induced lameness in a forelimb also caused compensatory movements resembling lameness in the horse’s hind limbs. There was less upward movement of the pelvis after the stance phase of the opposite side (contralateral) hind limb.
- Doubling the severity of lameness in the forelimb resulted in a 5% increase in compensatory movements of the contralateral hind limb.
Conclusion
- The researchers concluded that the induction of lameness in a horse’s hind limb results in compensatory movements resembling lameness in the ipsilateral forelimb.
- Additionally, inducing lameness in a horse’s forelimb prompts compensatory movements in both ipsilateral and contralateral hind limbs even though these movements are slight.
Cite This Article
APA
Kelmer G, Keegan KG, Kramer J, Wilson DA, Pai FP, Singh P.
(2005).
Computer-assisted kinematic evaluation of induced compensatory movements resembling lameness in horses trotting on a treadmill.
Am J Vet Res, 66(4), 646-655.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2005.66.646 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena / methods
- Female
- Forelimb / physiopathology
- Gait / physiology
- Head / physiology
- Hindlimb / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
- Male
- Pelvis / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Kongsawasdi S, Chuatrakoon B, Angkawanish T, Thitaram C, Langkaphin W, Namwongprom K, Prupetkaew P, Wantanajittikul K. Variability of gait characteristics in lameness elephant.. J Vet Med Sci 2023 Feb 10;85(2):226-231.
- St George LB, Spoormakers TJP, Smit IH, Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM, Roy SH, van Weeren PR, Richards J, Serra Bragança FM. Adaptations in equine appendicular muscle activity and movement occur during induced fore- and hindlimb lameness: An electromyographic and kinematic evaluation.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:989522.
- Rhodin M, Smit IH, Persson-Sjodin E, Pfau T, Gunnarsson V, Björnsdóttir S, Zetterberg E, Clayton HM, Hobbs SJ, Serra Bragança F, Hernlund E. Timing of Vertical Head, Withers and Pelvis Movements Relative to the Footfalls in Different Equine Gaits and Breeds.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 7;12(21).
- Smit IH, Hernlund E, Brommer H, van Weeren PR, Rhodin M, Serra Bragança FM. Continuous versus discrete data analysis for gait evaluation of horses with induced bilateral hindlimb lameness.. Equine Vet J 2022 May;54(3):626-633.
- Persson-Sjodin E, Hernlund E, Pfau T, Haubro Andersen P, Holm Forsström K, Rhodin M. Effect of meloxicam treatment on movement asymmetry in riding horses in training.. PLoS One 2019;14(8):e0221117.
- Ekstrand C, Bondesson U, Giving E, Hedeland M, Ingvast-Larsson C, Jacobsen S, Löfgren M, Moen L, Rhodin M, Saetra T, Ranheim B. Disposition and effect of intra-articularly administered dexamethasone on lipopolysaccharide induced equine synovitis.. Acta Vet Scand 2019 Jun 20;61(1):28.
- Rhodin M, Persson-Sjodin E, Egenvall A, Serra Bragança FM, Pfau T, Roepstorff L, Weishaupt MA, Thomsen MH, van Weeren PR, Hernlund E. Vertical movement symmetry of the withers in horses with induced forelimb and hindlimb lameness at trot.. Equine Vet J 2018 Nov;50(6):818-824.
- Pfau T, Noordwijk K, Sepulveda Caviedes MF, Persson-Sjodin E, Barstow A, Forbes B, Rhodin M. Head, withers and pelvic movement asymmetry and their relative timing in trot in racing Thoroughbreds in training.. Equine Vet J 2018 Jan;50(1):117-124.
- Rhodin M, Roepstorff L, French A, Keegan KG, Pfau T, Egenvall A. Head and pelvic movement asymmetry during lungeing in horses with symmetrical movement on the straight.. Equine Vet J 2016 May;48(3):315-20.
- Foss K, da Costa RC, Moore S. Three-dimensional kinematic gait analysis of Doberman Pinschers with and without cervical spondylomyelopathy.. J Vet Intern Med 2013 Jan-Feb;27(1):112-9.
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