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Equine veterinary journal2006; 38(6); 558-562; doi: 10.2746/042516406x154804

Pressure algometry to quantify muscle pain in racehorses with suspected sacroiliac dysfunction.

Abstract: Despite the prevalence of orthopaedic injuries to horses, there is no objective means of quantifying the intensity of musculoskeletal pain. Objective: Mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNT) can be measured repeatably by pressure algometry in horses and MNTs are correlated with both severity of clinical signs and subjective scores of muscle pain on palpation in horses with suspected sacroiliac dysfunction (SID). Methods: The technique of pressure algometry and its repeatability was tested at 4 anatomical sites on either side of the thoracolumbar and pelvic region in 12 Thoroughbreds in training. In a second series of 15 racing Thoroughbreds, using a different set of landmarks, pain on palpation was assessed by pressure algometry. Horses were grouped based on clinical scores of SID as normal (n = 5), mild (n = 5), moderate (n = 4) and severe (n = 1) suspected SID and scored for muscle pain response by manual palpation. Results: Pressure algometry was shown to be a repeatable measure of MNTs. Horses with suspected SID had significantly lower mean MNT when sites and horses were pooled and showed greater differences in mean algometer measurements between left and right sides, compared to control horses. A significant correlation was found between mean pressure algometry measurements and both suspected SID grade and muscle pain response on palpation. Conclusions: Horses with suspected SID displayed lower MNTs compared to control horses, especially in the pelvic region. This supports a potential role for pressure algometry in providing an objective means of quantifying musculoskeletal pain reflected as a reduced MNT associated with SID and its response to physiotherapy or other treatments.
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Publication Date: 2006-11-28 PubMed ID: 17124847DOI: 10.2746/042516406x154804Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research article proposes a method to objectively quantify musculoskeletal pain in racehorses suspected of having sacroiliac dysfunction (SID), using a technique called pressure algometry. The study found significant correlation between pressure algometry measurements and clinical signs of SID, suggesting that this method could be used to evaluate pain severity and the effectiveness of treatments.

Study Objective and Methodology

  • The objective of this study was to present an objective method for quantifying musculoskeletal pain in horses, focusing on those suspected with sacroiliac dysfunction (SID). Until this research, there was no established instrument for measuring pain intensity in equine orthopaedic injuries.
  • The researchers employed a tool known as a pressure algometer to measure Mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs), a method known for its repeatability and accuracy.
  • The process was carried out on 12 Thoroughbreds in training. In a follow-up series, the process was also conducted on a different set of 15 racing Thoroughbreds.
  • Anatomical benchmarks were selected on both sides of the horses’ thoracolumbar and pelvic regions for pressure algometry. These horses were then categorized based on the clinical scores of SID as normal, mild, moderate, or severe, and scored for muscle pain response by manual palpation.

Findings

  • Pressure algometry was proven to be a repeatedly reliable measure of MNTs in this study. Furthermore, horses that were suspects for SID showed significantly lower MNT measurements when all the sites and horses were combined.
  • There were noticeable differences in the mean algometry measurements between the left and right sides of the horses with suspected SID, as compared to control horses.
  • A significant association was noticed between the average pressure algometry measurements and both the suspected SID grade and muscle pain response on palpation.

Conclusion

  • This study concludes that horses with suspected SID showed lower MNTs than the control horses, especially in the pelvic region. Therefore, based on this study, pressure algometry could potentially be used as an objective method for quantifying musculoskeletal pain reflected as a reduced MNT associated with SID.
  • This objective measurement could also help in evaluating the response to physiotherapy or other treatments for SID in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Varcoe-Cocks K, Sagar KN, Jeffcott LB, McGowan CM. (2006). Pressure algometry to quantify muscle pain in racehorses with suspected sacroiliac dysfunction. Equine Vet J, 38(6), 558-562. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406x154804

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 38
Issue: 6
Pages: 558-562

Researcher Affiliations

Varcoe-Cocks, K
  • Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland.
Sagar, K N
    Jeffcott, L B
      McGowan, C M

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Female
        • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
        • Horses
        • Male
        • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
        • Musculoskeletal Diseases / diagnosis
        • Musculoskeletal Diseases / veterinary
        • Pain Measurement / veterinary
        • Pain Threshold / physiology
        • Palpation / veterinary
        • Pressure
        • Reproducibility of Results
        • Sacroiliac Joint / physiology
        • Sensitivity and Specificity
        • Severity of Illness Index

        Citations

        This article has been cited 11 times.
        1. Zielińska P, Soroko-Dubrovina M, Dudek K, Ruzhanova-Gospodinova IS. A Preliminary Study of the Influence of High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) on Skin Surface Temperature and Longissimus Dorsi Muscle Tone Changes in Thoroughbred Racehorses with Back Pain. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 22;13(5).
          doi: 10.3390/ani13050794pubmed: 36899651google scholar: lookup
        2. Haussler KK. Pressure Algometry for the Detection of Mechanical Nociceptive Thresholds in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 24;10(12).
          doi: 10.3390/ani10122195pubmed: 33255216google scholar: lookup
        3. Sahebjam F, Kongara K, Chambers JP, Walker RE, Naffa R, Lopez-Villalobos N, Singh PM. Pressure Algometry Validation and Determination of Efficacy of Articaine Hydrochloride Ring Block in Antler Removal in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus). Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 3;10(11).
          doi: 10.3390/ani10112023pubmed: 33153106google scholar: lookup
        4. Ericson C, Stenfeldt P, Hardeman A, Jacobson I. The Effect of Kinesiotape on Flexion-Extension of the Thoracolumbar Back in Horses at Trot. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 13;10(2).
          doi: 10.3390/ani10020301pubmed: 32069962google scholar: lookup
        5. Tabor G, Nankervis K, Fernandes J, Williams J. Generation of Domains for the Equine Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Outcome Score: Development by Expert Consensus. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jan 25;10(2).
          doi: 10.3390/ani10020203pubmed: 31991716google scholar: lookup
        6. Pongratz U, Licka T. Algometry to measure pain threshold in the horse's back - An in vivo and in vitro study. BMC Vet Res 2017 Mar 29;13(1):80.
          doi: 10.1186/s12917-017-1002-ypubmed: 28356118google scholar: lookup
        7. Geiger T, Lindenhahn L, Delarocque J, Geburek F. Evaluation of water treadmill training, lunging and treadmill training in the rehabilitation of horses with back pain. BMC Vet Res 2025 Jul 29;21(1):495.
          doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04950-2pubmed: 40731015google scholar: lookup
        8. Portier K, Schiesari C, Gauthier L, Yeng LT, Tabacchi Fantoni D, Formenton MR. Comparison of the Prevalence and Location of Trigger Points in Dressage and Show-Jumping Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 May 27;15(11).
          doi: 10.3390/ani15111558pubmed: 40509024google scholar: lookup
        9. Nowicka B, Polkowska I, Zeliszewska-Duk P, Torres A, Duk M. Molecular Assessment of Plasma Concentrations of Selected Adipokines and IL-8 in Horses with Back Pain and Comorbid Asthma-Based on Clinical Cases. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 22;15(3).
          doi: 10.3390/ani15030310pubmed: 39943080google scholar: lookup
        10. Gisler J, Chiavaccini L, Blum S, Montavon S, Spadavecchia C. Pressure pain mapping of equine distal joints: feasibility and reliability. Front Pain Res (Lausanne) 2024;5:1342954.
          doi: 10.3389/fpain.2024.1342954pubmed: 38726353google scholar: lookup
        11. Śniegucka K, Soroko-Dubrovina M, Zielińska P, Dudek K, Žuffová K. The Effect of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (rESWT) on the Skin Surface Temperature of the Longissimus Dorsi Muscle in Clinically Healthy Racing Thoroughbreds: A Preliminary Study. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 18;13(12).
          doi: 10.3390/ani13122028pubmed: 37370538google scholar: lookup
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