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PloS one2020; 15(2); e0228872; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228872

Effect of induced hindlimb length difference on body-mounted inertial sensor measures used to evaluate hindlimb lameness in horses.

Abstract: This study has investigated the immediate effect of induced hindlimb length difference on hindlimb lameness measured as differences in minimum (Pmin) and maximum (Pmax) pelvic heights in 16 horses trotting in a straight line and lungeing on both hard and soft surfaces with body-mounted inertial sensors. Hindlimb length differences were induced by applying an Easyboot Glue-on shoe to one hindlimb. Changes in Pmin and Pmax with induced hindlimb length difference were assessed with a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA with trial (straight, lunge with inside limb elevation, lunge with outside limb elevation) and surface (hard, soft) as within-subject factors. Change in Pmin, indicating an impact-type lameness, in the hind limb with the elevation, was significant in both the straight line and while lunging on both hard and soft surfaces. Change in Pmax, indicating pushoff-type lameness, in the opposite, non-elevated hind limb, was significant when trotting in a straight line but not while lunging.
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Publication Date: 2020-02-18 PubMed ID: 32069321PubMed Central: PMC7028285DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228872Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 investigated how artificially creating a length difference in the back legs of horses affects the measurement of hindlimb lameness. Using body-mounted sensors, the study measured the minimum and maximum pelvic heights of 16 horses in different trials to determine the impact of the induced length difference on perceived lameness.

Overview of the Study

  • The study was conducted on 16 horses and involved artificially creating a difference in the length of their hind limbs by attaching an Easyboot Glue-on shoe to one of their hindlimbs.
  • Body-mounted inertial sensors were used to measure the minimum (Pmin) and maximum (Pmax) pelvic heights of the horses. These measurements were crucial in determining the presence and extent of lameness in the horses’ hindlimbs.
  • The horses were observed trotting in a straight line and lunging on both hard and soft surfaces to understand if the surface type affected the lameness.

Experimental Design and Measures

  • The study employed a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, a statistical test used to analyse the variance between multiple groups. In this case, it was used to assess the impact of the trial (straight line trotting, lunge with inside limb elevation, lunge with outside limb elevation) and the surface type (hard or soft).

Key Findings

  • The researchers observed a significant change in Pmin in the elevated hindlimb, suggesting an impact-type lameness. This change was noticeable both when the horses were trotting in a straight line and lunging on both hard and soft surfaces.
  • A significant change in Pmax, indicative of pushoff-type lameness, was found in the non-elevated opposite hindlimb when the horse was trotting in a straight line. However, this change was not significant while lunging.
  • It implies that induced hindlimb length differences can artificially inflate lameness indicators, potentially leading to incorrect lameness diagnoses.

Implication of the Study

  • This research reinforces the need for caution when diagnosing hindlimb lameness in horses, particularly in cases where there is a noticeable difference in the length of the hind limbs.
  • It also emphasizes the importance of considering the specific conditions under which lameness measurements are made, such as surface type and movement, as these factors can significantly influence the results.

Cite This Article

APA
Pitts JB, Kramer J, Reed SK, Schiltz P, Thombs L, Keegan KG. (2020). Effect of induced hindlimb length difference on body-mounted inertial sensor measures used to evaluate hindlimb lameness in horses. PLoS One, 15(2), e0228872. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228872

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 2
Pages: e0228872

Researcher Affiliations

Pitts, Jael B
  • Veterinary Health Center, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Equine Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America.
Kramer, Joanne
  • Veterinary Health Center, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Equine Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America.
Reed, Shannon K
  • Veterinary Health Center, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Equine Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America.
Schiltz, Paul
  • Equestrian Studies, William Woods University, Fulton, Missouri, United States of America.
Thombs, Lori
  • Social Science Statistics Center, Department of Statistics, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America.
Keegan, Kevin G
  • Veterinary Health Center, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Equine Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Female
  • Gait / physiology
  • Gait Analysis / methods
  • Gait Analysis / veterinary
  • Hindlimb / pathology
  • Hindlimb / physiopathology
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
  • Horses
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
  • Lameness, Animal / pathology
  • Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Movement / physiology
  • Pelvis / physiopathology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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This article includes 17 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Kallerud AS, Marques-Smith P, Bendiksen HK, Fjordbakk CT. Objective movement asymmetry in horses is comparable between markerless technology and sensor-based systems. Equine Vet J 2025 Jan;57(1):115-125.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14089pubmed: 38566453google scholar: lookup
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