Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2023; 36(05): A1-A27
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1775617
Podium Abstracts

Evaluating the Effect of Jumping Phase, Leading Limb, and Arena Surface Type on Forelimb Distal Joint Kinematics

C.M. Rohlf
1   JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis, United States
2   Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, United States
3   Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, United States
,
T.C. Garcia
1   JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis, United States
2   Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, United States
3   Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, United States
,
D.P. Fyhrie
2   Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, United States
,
L.J. Marsh
1   JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis, United States
,
E.V. Acutt
4   Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
,
S.S. le Jeune
3   Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, United States
,
S.M. Stover
1   JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis, United States
2   Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, United States
3   Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, United States
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
 

Introduction: In show jumping, the suspensory ligament (SL) and superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) commonly experience strain related injuries. Due to limb anatomy, flexor tendon and ligament strains are predicted to be positively correlated with the joint extension angle. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the influence of jump phase (takeoff/landing), leading limb (leading/trailing), and surface type (dirt/synthetic) on joint extension.

Materials and Methods: Maximum extension of the fetlock, pastern, and coffin joint were captured using kinematic markers and high-speed video for four horses jumping over a 1.1 meter oxer at 12 different arenas (5 dirt, 7 synthetic). The effects of jump phase, leading limb, and surface type on joint extension were assessed using ANOVA (p < 0.05).

Results: The fetlock, pastern, and coffin joints exhibited significantly greater extension at landing than takeoff (p < 0.001). The fetlock and coffin joints exhibited higher extension as the trailing limb (p < 0.001); the pastern joint was more extended as the leading limb (p < 0.001). Pastern joint extension was greater on synthetic surfaces and coffin joint extension was greater on dirt surfaces (p < 0.001).

Discussion/Conclusion: Flexor tendon and ligament strains are expected to be higher at landing than takeoff because each of the joints are more extended. However, pastern and coffin joint extension were inversely affected by leading limb or surface type, which is expected to reduce net strain in tendons which cross both joints like the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). This may also explain the reason for a lower injury prevalence in the DDFT compared to the SDFT or SL.

Acknowledgments: Supported in part by the Center for Equine Health with funds provided by the State of California satellite wagering fund and contributions by private donors.



Publication History

Article published online:
11 September 2023

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