Instrumentation and techniques in locomotion and lameness.

The research focuses on the importance of advanced equipment and expert personnel in clinical gait laboratories. It discusses the use of specific devices and systems for analysis of horse locomotion, noting the need for technological advancements to make these techniques more accessible and practical in diagnosing conditions like lameness.

Key Components of a Clinical Gait Laboratory

• The success of a gait laboratory largely depends on the right equipment, its proper installation, routine calibration, and a team comprised of technically competent and professional personnel.

Kinematic Analysis and the Use of Videographic and Optoelectronic Systems

• For assessing locomotion or movement, the use of videographic or optoelectronic systems are preferred. These are tools equipped to capture and measure the parameters of gait.
• Two-dimensional data, achieved through these systems, are often sufficient for a majority of assessments in horses. The data includes information related to the animal’s motion such as speed, acceleration, angles, and joints involved.

The Use of Force Plate and Strain Gauges

• Beyond motion analysis, precise descriptions of the three-dimensional force exerted on, and by, the ground can be obtained using a device called the force plate. This information provides crucial insight into the working of the horses’ limbs and musculoskeletal system.
• The study also involves the measurement of force transmission through the body tissues of the animal. This is achieved using strain gauges that are directly attached to the bones and tendons of the animals.

Surface Work Properties and the Use of Accelerometers

• An accelerometer, a device bonded to the hoof wall, offers valuable information that describes the properties of the work surface or the ground on which the horse walks or runs.

Current Limitations and Future Prospects

• Despite their effectiveness, the clinical application of these techniques remains relatively limited due to the significant amount of time and expertise required to extract pertinent data.
• The research also emphasizes the potential of automated data manipulation in pushing these gait analysis methods into mainstream clinical settings. An example provided includes the training of artificial neural networks to autonomously diagnose lameness using data from kinematic analyses.