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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J Suppl / Segmental in vivo vertebral kinematics at the walk, trot and...
Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2001; (33); 160-164; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb05381.x

Segmental in vivo vertebral kinematics at the walk, trot and canter: a preliminary study.

Abstract: Understanding the pathophysiology of equine back problems, for clinical evaluation, treatment or injury prevention, requires understanding of the normal 3-dimensional motion characteristics of the vertebral column. Recent studies have investigated regional vertebral kinematics; however, there are no reported measures of direct in vivo segmental vertebral kinematics in exercising horses. Relative movements between 2 adjacent vertebrae were recorded for 3 horses that were clinically sound and did not have a known history of a back problem. A transducer consisting of 2 fixtures and an array of liquid metal strain gauges (LMSGs) was used to measure 3-dimensional segmental vertebral motion. The transducer was attached directly to Steinmann pins implanted in the dorsal spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae in 3 vertebral regions: thoracic (T14 to T16), lumbar (L1 to L3) and lumbosacral (L6 to S2). Rotational displacements between adjacent vertebrae were calculated from the differential outputs of the LMSG array during walk, trot and canter on a treadmill. Peak magnitudes of dorsoventral flexion, lateral bending and axial rotation were recorded continuously for each stride. The largest motion of the 3 instrumented vertebral segments was at the lumbosacral junction. In general, the greatest magnitude of segmental vertebral motion occurred during the canter and the least during the trot. The dynamic and continuous measure of 3-dimensional in vivo segmental vertebral motion provides an important new perspective for evaluating vertebral motion and back problems in horses.
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Publication Date: 2001-11-28 PubMed ID: 11721560DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb05381.xGoogle 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 conducted a preliminary study on the three-dimensional motion of horses’ vertebral column during walk, trot, and canter. The aim was to understand the physiology of equine back problems for better clinical evaluation and treatment.

Study Design and Methodology

  • The study involved three horses that had no known history of back problems and were clinically sound.
  • A transducer, composed of two fixtures and an array of liquid metal strain gauges (LMSGs), was used to measure the three-dimensional motion of the vertebrae.
  • The transducer was directly attached to Steinmann pins that had been implanted into the dorsal spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae in three separate vertebral regions: thoracic, lumbar, and lumbosacral.
  • The horses were then made to walk, trot, or canter on a treadmill.

Data Analysis and Findings

  • Rotational displacements between adjacent vertebrae were calculated based on the differential output of the LMSG array during the horse’s walk, trot, and canter on the treadmill.
  • Data was collected from each stride, recording peak magnitudes of dorsoventral flexion, lateral bending, and axial rotation.
  • It was found that the largest motion of the three instrumented vertebral segments occurred at the lumbosacral junction.
  • In general, the greatest magnitude of segmental vertebral motion was observed during the canter and the least during the trot.

Conclusion and Recommendations

  • The continuous measure of three-dimensional in vivo segmental vertebral motion presents a new perspective for evaluating vertebral motion in horses.
  • This new perspective could be pivotal in assessing and treating back problems in the equine population.
  • Though this study is preliminary, it shows promise and further research in this direction could be beneficial for equine health and performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Haussler KK, Bertram JE, Gellman K, Hermanson JW. (2001). Segmental in vivo vertebral kinematics at the walk, trot and canter: a preliminary study. Equine Vet J Suppl(33), 160-164. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2001.tb05381.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 33
Pages: 160-164

Researcher Affiliations

Haussler, K K
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
Bertram, J E
    Gellman, K
      Hermanson, J W

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Biomechanical Phenomena
        • Horses / physiology
        • Locomotion / physiology
        • Male
        • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
        • Pilot Projects
        • Reference Values
        • Spine / physiology

        Citations

        This article has been cited 9 times.
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