Multiplanar intersegmental angular velocity in the assessment of topline movement in horses.

Overview

• This study investigates the use of multiplanar intersegmental angular velocity to assess the quality of topline movement in horses, particularly comparing sound horses to one with hind limb lameness.
• The research aims to enhance the understanding and measurement of spinal motion and movement quality through angular velocity, potentially improving diagnosis and treatment monitoring in equine lameness and topline dysfunction.

Research Objectives

• To measure intersegmental spinal movement in horses using both range of motion (joint angles) and angular velocity across three anatomical planes: sagittal, dorsal, and transverse.
• To focus on three specific spinal segments: cranial thoracic to caudal thoracic, caudal thoracic to lumbar, and lumbar to sacral.
• To evaluate differences in movement quality between sound horses and a horse exhibiting moderate to severe right hind limb lameness.
• To determine whether angular velocity provides additional or improved insights over traditional joint angle measurements in assessing equine spinal motion.

Methods

• Spinal motion was assessed with 6-degrees-of-freedom (6-DoF) measurements, capturing movement in all three planes (sagittal, dorsal, transverse).
• Motion data were collected during walking and trotting gaits, which are key for detecting functional and biomechanical differences.
• Three sound horses (Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred cross) contributed a total of 54 gait cycles at walk and 33 at trot, which were pooled for analysis.
• A separate dataset from a single Thoroughbred horse diagnosed with moderate to severe lameness in the right hind limb was also analyzed, with 8 gait cycles at walk and 13 at trot.
• Data were compared focusing on both joint angles (range of motion) and angular velocity (rate of change of joint angles) to find measurable differences between sound and lame horses.

Results

• Both joint angle and angular velocity measurements were able to detect differences between the normal and lame horses.
• Angular velocity measurements displayed noticeably greater differences—not only in the absolute numerical values but also in percentage changes—when compared to joint angles.
• The detection of movement quality impairment was especially pronounced during trot, a faster, more dynamic gait sensitive to asymmetries and control deficits.
• The lame horse demonstrated decreased quality of intersegmental movement and control in the topline region across all planes examined.

Conclusions and Implications

• Intersegmental angular velocity, a noninvasive measure, appears to be a promising tool for objectively assessing the quality of equine spinal motion.
• This method may provide more sensitive detection of abnormal movement patterns related to lameness and topline dysfunction than traditional range of motion analysis.
• Clinical applications potentially include improved diagnosis, targeted treatment planning, and monitoring progress or recovery in horses with spinal or limb issues affecting the topline.
• The study suggests further research to explore angular velocity throughout different treatment phases and across varying types of equine lameness.
• Additional investigation could clarify how changes in angular velocity correlate with clinical improvements or worsening, leading to better management of horse performance and welfare.