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Equine veterinary journal2005; 36(8); 707-711; doi: 10.2746/0425164044848226

Kinematic evaluation of the back in the sport horse with back pain.

Abstract: Earlier studies have developed a clinical tool to evaluate objectively the function of the equine back. The ability to differentiate horses with back pain from asymptomatic, fully functioning horses using kinematic measures from this tool has not been evaluated. Objective: To compare the kinematics of the back at walk and trot in riding horses with back dysfunction to the same parameters in asymptomatic sport horses. Methods: The kinematics of the back in 12 horses with impaired performance and back pain were studied at walk and trot on a treadmill. Data were captured for 10 sees at 240 Hz. Range of movement (ROM) and intravertebral pattern symmetry of movement for flexion and extension (FE), lateral bending (LB) and axial rotation (AR) were derived from angular motion pattern data and the results compared to an earlier established database on asymptomatic riding horses. Results: At walk, horses with back dysfunction had a ROM smaller for dorsoventral FE in the caudal thoracic region (T13 = 7.50 degrees, T17 = 7.71 degrees; P<0.05), greater for LB at T13 (8.13 degrees; P<0.001) and smaller for AR of the pelvis (10.97 degrees; P<0.05) compared to asymptomatic horses (FE-T13 = 8.28 degrees, FE-T17 = 8.49 degrees, LB-T13 = 6.34 degrees, AR-pelvis = 12.77 degrees). At trot, dysfunctional horses had a smaller (P<0.05) ROM for FE at the thoracic lumbar junction (T17 = 2.46 degrees, L1 = 2.60 degrees) compared to asymptomatic horses (FE-T17 = 3.07 degrees, FE-L1 = 3.12 degrees). Conclusions: The objective measurement technique can detect differences between back kinematics in riding horses with signs of back dysfunction and asymptomatic horses. The clinical manifestation of back pain results in diminished flexion/extension movement at or near the thoracic lumbar junction. However, before applying the method more extensively in practice it is necessary to evaluate it further, including measurements of patients whose diagnoses can be confirmed and long-term follow-ups of back patients after treatment. Conclusions: Since the objective measurement technique can detect small movement differences in back kinematics, it should help to clinically describe and, importantly, objectively detect horses with back pain and dysfunction.
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Publication Date: 2005-01-20 PubMed ID: 15656501DOI: 10.2746/0425164044848226Google 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.

The research aims to differentiate horses with back pain from healthy, fully functioning horses utilizing kinematic measures. The tool was used observe and compare back movements of horses with back problems to healthy horses both at walk and trot stages. It was found that the clinical manifestation of back pain results in diminished flexion/extension movement near the thoracic lumbar junction.

Objective and Methodology

  • The purpose of the study was to objectively examine the functionality of the equine back, particularly in horses suffering from back pain.
  • The kinematics of 12 horses with impaired performance and back pain were studied while they walked and trotted on a treadmill.
  • The study made use of a clinical tool developed by earlier studies, which captured data for 10 seconds at 240 Hz.
  • Range of movement (ROM) and intravertebral pattern symmetry for movements like flexion and extension (FE), lateral bending (LB) and axial rotation (AR) were observed from the angular motion pattern data.

Findings

  • Horses with back dysfunction showed a smaller ROM for dorsoventral FE in the caudal thoracic region.
  • These horses also had a greater range for LB at T13, but a smaller range for AR of the pelvis, compared to asymptomatic horses.
  • At trot, horses with back dysfunction had a smaller ROM for FE at the thoracic lumbar junction.
  • It was confirmed that the clinical manifestation of back pain results in diminished flexion/extension movement at or near the thoracic lumbar junction.

Conclusions and Further Research

  • The objective measurement technique used in the study can indeed tell apart horses with symptoms of back dysfunction from those that are asymptomatic.
  • Future work should include measures of patients whose diagnoses can be confirmed as well as extended monitoring of back patients post-treatment.
  • Given its demonstrated ability to detect small movement differences in back kinematics, this technique should assist in clinically describing and objectively identifying horses with back pain and dysfunction.

Cite This Article

APA
Wennerstrand J, Johnston C, Roethlisberger-Holm K, Erichsen C, Eksell P, Drevemo S. (2005). Kinematic evaluation of the back in the sport horse with back pain. Equine Vet J, 36(8), 707-711. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044848226

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 8
Pages: 707-711

Researcher Affiliations

Wennerstrand, J
  • Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Johnston, C
    Roethlisberger-Holm, K
      Erichsen, C
        Eksell, P
          Drevemo, S

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Back / physiology
            • Back Pain / diagnosis
            • Back Pain / physiopathology
            • Back Pain / veterinary
            • Biomechanical Phenomena
            • Exercise Test / veterinary
            • Gait / physiology
            • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
            • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
            • Horses / anatomy & histology
            • Horses / physiology
            • Locomotion / physiology
            • Lumbar Vertebrae / physiology
            • Range of Motion, Articular
            • Stress, Mechanical
            • Thoracic Vertebrae / physiology
            • Weight-Bearing

            Citations

            This article has been cited 20 times.
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