Net joint moments and joint powers in horses with superficial digital flexor tendinitis.

The study investigates if studying net joint moments and joint powers can aid in assessing the functioning and energy efficiency of a horse’s gait, particularly in horses suffering from superficial digital flexor tendinitis. The test results show notable discrepancies between the healthy and affected limbs, implying that horses with this condition have energetically inefficient gaits.

Research Method

• The study was conducted on a group of six healthy horses.
• The experiment included a pre-and-post evaluation. During the pre-evaluation, the horses were tested in a sound condition; post-evaluation was done after deliberately inducing superficial digital flexor tendinitis in one forelimb through an injection of collagenase.
• Evaluations included recordings using an optoelectronic system and a force plate as the horses trotted.
• The researchers calculated the net joint moments and joint powers in the sagittal plane at each joint in the forelimbs during the stance phase. The peak values were determined, and the mechanical energy absorbed and generated at each joint was also calculated.
• Following this, a comparison of these measures was made between the healthy and affected limbs during sound (healthy) and lame (affected) evaluations.

Result Analysis

• The lame limbs, i.e., those affected by the induced superficial digital flexor tendinitis, demonstrated considerable reductions in peak values of net joint moments on the palmar aspect of the metacarpophalangeal (fetlock), carpal, and humeroulnar joints compared to their sound counterparts.
• The total energy absorbed at each joint of the affected limbs was also significantly lower than that of the compensating limbs.

Research Conclusion

• The researchers concluded that the gait of horses suffering from superficial digital flexor tendinitis is energetically inefficient — demonstrated by viewing the stark differences in net joint moments and joint powers across all joints in lame and compensating limbs.
• The study emphasizes that assessing net joint moments and joint powers can be a valuable tool in evaluating and diagnosing equine lameness, expanding opportunities for early identification and treatment of conditions like superficial digital flexor tendinitis.