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Equine veterinary journal2024; doi: 10.1111/evj.14117

Vertical pelvic movement asymmetry and lameness location in ipsilateral combined forelimb and hindlimb lameness cases.

Abstract: Compensatory vertical head and pelvis movement asymmetry may occur in trotting horses with a primary cause of lameness in one end of the body due to the weight shifting between limbs, leading to apparent combined forelimb and hindlimb lameness (CFHL). Little is known about CFHL patterns observed with body-mounted inertial sensors (BMIS) and regardless of their underlying mechanisms, compensatory and secondary lameness may complicate the definitive identification of the primary causes of lameness. Objective: Determine associations between vertical pelvic movement asymmetry and location of primary lameness in ipsilateral CFHL cases where hindlimb lameness is solely impact or push-off type. Methods: Retrospective cohort. Methods: From a body-mounted inertial sensor (BMIS) evaluated equine lameness database, we identified cases with a consistent, low-variability ipsilateral impact (IpI) or ipsilateral pushoff (IpP) hindlimb lameness in a straight-line trot and that had definitive diagnoses. Cases were categorised by lameness location to the limb(s), diagnosis, and ratio of the amplitude of forelimb to hindlimb lameness (Fore/Hind). Differences in the numbers of IpI and IpP cases in these categories were analysed with chi-square tests, effect sizes, and odds ratios. Results: Among the 2375 total lameness cases screened, 49 IpI and 36 IpP cases met the criteria for consistency, low variability, and definitive diagnosis. IpI cases were more likely than IpP cases to have forelimb-only lameness causes when Fore/Hind >1 (OR = 43, 95% CI = 2.3-798). IpP cases were more likely than IpI cases to have hindlimb-only causes at both Fore/Hind >1.0 (OR = 20, 95% CI = 2.2-200) and <1.0 (OR = 14, 95% CI = 2.9-66.7). Compared with IpI, IpP cases were more frequently diagnosed with tendon, suspensory ligament, or high-motion joint disorders in hindlimbs (OR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.1-12.3) and less with unknown causes (OR = 13.2, 95% CI = 3.2-75.2). In IpI cases, positive forelimb regional anaesthesia often reduced hindlimb lameness, whereas in IpP cases, positive hindlimb regional anaesthesia typically lessened forelimb lameness. Conclusions: Most cases were Quarter Horses. The likelihood of location and cause of lameness may be different for other breeds. Conclusions: The type of pelvic movement asymmetry observed in IpI and IpP cases is linked to the location and underlying cause of the primary lameness.
© 2024 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2024-06-25 PubMed ID: 38923053DOI: 10.1111/evj.14117Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 investigates how the location of lameness in horses affects vertical pelvic movement asymmetry. Analyzing cases of combined forelimb and hindlimb lameness (CFHL), the scientists use body-mounted inertial sensors (BMIS) to explore patterns and better identify primary causes of lameness.

Study Design

  • The study represents a retrospective cohort analysis. The researchers utilized a database of horses with lameness, identified through BMIS evaluations.
  • From these cases, it narrows down to instances of consistent, low-variability lameness. These cases are either classified as ‘ipsilateral impact’ (IpI) or ‘ipsilateral pushoff’ (IpP), depending on when in the horse’s stride the lameness occurs.
  • Cases were categorized based on the location of lameness, diagnosis, and the ratio of the amplitude of forelimb to hindlimb lameness (Fore/Hind).

Results

  • Out of a total of 2375 lameness cases, 49 were identified as IpI and 36 as IpP.
  • Some patterns became clear: IpI cases were more likely to have forelimb-only causes when the Fore/Hind ratio is greater than 1. In contrast, IpP cases were more likely to have hindlimb-only causes regardless of the Fore/Hind ratio.
  • Compared to IpI, IpP cases were more often diagnosed with tendon, suspensory ligament, or high-motion joint disorders in the hindlimbs, and less with unknown causes.

Implications for Treatment

  • In IpI cases, treating the forelimb area often reduced lameness, whereas in IpP cases, treating the hindlimb area typically lessened forelimb lameness.
  • Most of the cases in the study were Quarter Horses, and the conclusions might not generalize across different breeds.

Conclusions

  • This research provides valuable insight into the complex problem of equine lameness, which could inform more effective and targeted treatments.
  • The primary finding is that the type of observed pelvic movement asymmetry in either an IpI or IpP case can provide clues to the location and underlying cause of primary lameness in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Means K, Hayden L, Kramer J, McCracken MJ, Reed SK, Wilson DA, Keegan KG. (2024). Vertical pelvic movement asymmetry and lameness location in ipsilateral combined forelimb and hindlimb lameness cases. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14117

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Means, Kari
  • E. Paige Laurie Endowed Program in Equine Lameness, Veterinary Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Hayden, Lyndsey
  • E. Paige Laurie Endowed Program in Equine Lameness, Veterinary Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Kramer, Joanne
  • E. Paige Laurie Endowed Program in Equine Lameness, Veterinary Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
McCracken, Megan Jill
  • E. Paige Laurie Endowed Program in Equine Lameness, Veterinary Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Reed, Shannon K
  • E. Paige Laurie Endowed Program in Equine Lameness, Veterinary Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Wilson, David A
  • E. Paige Laurie Endowed Program in Equine Lameness, Veterinary Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Keegan, Kevin George
  • E. Paige Laurie Endowed Program in Equine Lameness, Veterinary Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Poizat E, Gérard M, Macaire C, De Azevedo E, Denoix JM, Coudry V, Jacquet S, Bertoni L, Tallaj A, Audigié F, Hatrisse C, Hébert C, Martin P, Marin F, Hanne-Poujade S, Chateau H. Discrimination of the Lame Limb in Horses Using a Machine Learning Method (Support Vector Machine) Based on Asymmetry Indices Measured by the EQUISYM System. Sensors (Basel) 2025 Feb 12;25(4).
    doi: 10.3390/s25041095pubmed: 40006323google scholar: lookup
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