Download PDF
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2014; 27(06): 453-460
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-14-04-0057
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Kinetic and kinematic evaluation of compensatory movements of the head, pelvis and thoracolumbar spine associated with asymmetric weight bearing of the pelvic limbs in trotting dogs

D. A. Hicks
1   Knoxville, TN, USA
,
D. L. Millis
2   University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Knoxville, TN, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 16 April 2014

Accepted: 27 July 2014

Publication Date:
23 December 2017 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Summary

Objectives: To determine ground reaction forces, head and pelvis vertical motion (HVM and PVM, respectively), and thoraco-lumbar lateral angular motion (LAM) of the spine using kinematic gait analysis in dogs with mild asymmetric weight-bearing of the pelvic limbs while trotting.

Methods: Twenty-seven hound-type dogs were fitted with reflective markers placed on the sagittal crest of the skull, the ischiatic tuberosity, and thoracolumbar spine of dogs to track motion while trotting. Kinetic and kinematic data were used to characterize asymmetry between the left and right pelvic limbs, and to describe HVM, PVM and thoraco-lumbar LAM. Maximum and minimum position and total motion values were determined for each measured variable.

Results: Dogs with asymmetric weight bearing of the pelvic limbs had greater PVM on the side with a greater peak vertical force (PVF), and greater thoraco-lumbar LAM toward the side with a lower PVF while trotting. No differences in mean HVM were detected, and there were no significant correlations between the magnitude of HVM, PVM and thoraco-lumbar LAM and the degree of asymmetric weight bearing.

Clinical significance: Dogs with subtle asymmetric weight bearing of a pelvic limb had patterns of body motion that may be useful in identifying subtle lameness in dogs; greater PVM on the side with greater weight bearing and greater thoraco-lumbar LAM toward the side with less weight bearing while trotting. Description of these compensatory movements is valuable when evaluating dogs with subtle weight bearing asymmetry in the pelvic limbs and may improve the sensitivity of lameness detection during subjective clinical lameness examination.

Keywords

Kinetics - kinematics - head - pelvic limb - pelvis - thoracolumbar spine - lameness - asymmetric weight bearing
 

  • References

  • 1 Katic N, Bockstahler BA, Mueller M. et al. Fourier analysis of vertical ground reaction forces in dogs with unilateral hind limb lameness caused by degenerative disease of the hip joint and in dogs without lameness. Am J Vet Res 2009; 70: 118-126.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Buchner HH, Savelberg HH, Schamhardt HC. et al. Head and trunk movement adaptations in horses with experimentally induced fore- or hindlimb lameness. Equine Vet J 1996; 28: 71-76.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Renberg WC. Evaluation of the lame patient. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2001; 31: 1-16.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Anderson MA, Mann FA. Force plate analysis: a noninvasive tool for gait evaluation. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet 1994; 16: 857-867.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Budsberg SC, Verstraete MC, Brown J. et al. Vertical loading rates in clinically normal dogs at a trot. Am J Vet Res 1995; 56: 1275-1280.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 DeCamp CE. Kinetic and kinematic gait analysis and the assessment of lameness in the dog. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1997; 27: 825-840.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Budsberg SC, Verstraete MC, Soutas-Little RW. Force plate analysis of the walking gait in healthy dogs. Am J Vet Res 1987; 48: 915-918.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 McLaughlin Jr RM, Miller CW, Taves CL. et al. Force plate analysis of triple pelvic osteotomy for the treatment of canine hip dysplasia. Vet Surg 1991; 20: 291-297.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Rumph PF, Lander JE, Kincaid SA. et al. Ground reaction force profiles from force platform gait analyses of clinically normal mesomorphic dogs at the trot. Am J Vet Res 1994; 55: 756-761.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Gillette RL, Angle TC. Recent developments in canine locomotor analysis: a review. Vet J 2008; 178: 165-176.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 McLaughlin RM. Kinetic and kinematic gait analysis in dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2001; 31: 193-201.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Allen K, DeCamp CE, Braden TD. et al. Kinematic gait analysis of the trot in healthy mixed breed dogs. Vet Com Orthop Traumatol 1994; 7: 148-153.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 DeCamp CE, Soutas-Little RW, Hauptman J. et al. Kinematic gait analysis of the trot in healthy greyhounds. Am J Vet Res 1993; 54: 627-634.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Hottinger HA, DeCamp CE, Olivier NB. et al. Kinematic gait analysis of the walk in healthy dogs. Vet Surg 1994; 23: 404.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Marsolais GS, McLean S, Derrick T. et al. Kinematic analysis of the hind limb during swimming and walking in healthy dogs and dogs with surgically corrected cranial cruciate ligament rupture. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2003; 222: 739-743.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Bennett RL, DeCamp CE, Flo GL. et al. Kinematic gait analysis in dogs with hip dysplasia. Am J Vet Res 1996; 57: 966-971.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Holler PJ, Brazda V, Dal-Bianco B. et al. Kinematic motion analysis of the joints of the forelimbs and hind limbs of dogs during walking exercise regimens. Am J Vet Res 2010; 71: 734-740.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Bockstahler B, Krautler C, Holler P. et al. Pelvic limb kinematics and surface electromyography of the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and gluteus medius muscle in dogs with hip osteoarthritis. Vet Surg 2012; 41: 54-62.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Bockstahler BA, Prickler B, Lewy E. et al. Hind limb kinematics during therapeutic exercises in dogs with osteoarthritis of the hip joints. Am J Vet Res 2012; 73: 1371-6.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Bockstahler BB, Gesky R, Mueller M. et al. Correlation of surface electromyography of the vastus lateralis muscle in dogs at a walk with joint kinematics and ground reaction forces. Vet Surg 2009; 38: 754-761.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Agostinho FS, Rahal SC, Miqueleto NS. et al. Kinematic analysis of Labrador Retrievers and Rottweilers trotting on a treadmill. Vet Com Orthop Traumatol 2011; 24: 185-191.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Durant AM, Millis DL, Headrick JF. Kinematics of stair ascent in healthy dogs. Vet Com Orthop Traumatol 2011; 24: 99-105.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 King C, Mansmann R. Equine Lameness. Wagoner D, editor. Grand Prairie, TX: Equine Research Inc; 1997
    Google Scholar
  • 24 Slocum B, Slocum TD. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy for repair of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in the canine. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1993; 23: 777-795.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Fanchon L, Grandjean D. Accuracy of asymmetry indices of ground reaction forces for diagnosis of hind limb lameness in dogs. Am J Vet Res 2007; 68: 1089-1094.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Colborne GR. Are sound dogs mechanically symmetric at trot? No, actually. Vet Com Orthop Traumatol 2008; 21: 294-301.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Colborne GR, Good L, Cozens LE. et al. Symmetry of hind limb mechanics in orthopedically normal trotting Labrador Retrievers. Am J Vet Res 2011; 72: 336-344.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Budsberg SC, Jevens DJ, Brown J. et al. Evaluation of limb symmetry indices, using ground reaction forces in healthy dogs. Am J Vet Res 1993; 54: 1569-74.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Gillette RL, Zebas CJ. A two-dimensional analysis of limb symmetry in the trot of Labrador retrievers. J Am An Hosp Assoc 1999; 35: 515-520.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Schaefer SL, DeCamp CE, Hauptman JG. et al. Kinematic gait analysis of hind limb symmetry in dogs at the trot. Am J Vet Res 1998; 59: 680-685.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Conzemius MG, Evans RB, Besancon MF. et al. Effect of surgical technique on limb function after surgery for rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005; 226: 232-236.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Au KK, Gordon-Evans WJ, Dunning D. et al. Comparison of short- and long-term function and radiographic osteoarthrosis in dogs after postoperative physical rehabilitation and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy or lateral fabellar suture stabilization. Vet Surg 2010; 39: 173-180.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Gordon-Evans WJ, Griffon DJ, Bubb C. et al. Comparison of lateral fabellar suture and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy techniques for treatment of dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013; 243: 675-680.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Vorstenbosch MA, Buchner HH, Savelberg HH. et al. Modeling study of compensatory head movements in lame horses. Am J Vet Res 1997; 58: 713-718.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Peloso JG, Stick JA, Soutas-Little RW. et al. Computer-assisted three-dimensional gait analysis of amphotericin-induced carpal lameness in horses. Am J Vet Res 1993; 54: 1535-1543.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 May SA, Wyn-Jones G. Identification of hindleg lameness. Eq Vet J 1987; 19: 185-188.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 DeCamp CE, Riggs CM, Olivier NB. et al. Kinematic evaluation of gait in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Am J Vet Res 1996; 57: 120-126.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Peham C, Licka T, Girtler D. et al. Hindlimb lameness: clinical judgement versus computerised symmetry measurement. Vet Rec 2001; 148: 750-752.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Keegan KG, Wilson DJ, Wilson DA. et al. Effects of anesthesia of the palmar digital nerves on kinematic gait analysis in horses with and without navicular disease. Am J Vet Res 1997; 58: 218-223.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Audigie F, Pourcelot P, Degueurce C. et al. Fourier analysis of trunk displacements: a method to identify the lame limb in trotting horses. J Biomechanics 2002; 35: 1173-1182.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Kelmer G, Keegan KG, Kramer J. et al. Computer-assisted kinematic evaluation of induced compensatory movements resembling lameness in horses trotting on a treadmill. Am J Vet Res 2005; 66: 646-655.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Kramer J, Keegan KG, Kelmer G. et al. Objective determination of pelvic movement during hind limb lameness by use of a signal decomposition method and pelvic height differences. Am J Vet Res 2004; 65: 741-747.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 43 Ragetly CA, Griffon DJ, Mostafa AA. et al. Inverse dynamics analysis of the pelvic limbs in Labrador Retrievers with and without cranial cruciate ligament disease. Vet Surg 2010; 39: 513-522.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Poy NS, DeCamp CE, Bennett RL. et al. Additional kinematic variables to describe differences in the trot between clinically normal dogs and dogs with hip dysplasia. Am J Vet Res 2000; 61: 974-978.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 45 Faber M, Schamhardt H, van Weeren R. et al. Methodology and validity of assessing kinematics of the thoracolumbar vertebral column in horses on the basis of skin-fixated markers. Am J Vet Res 2001; 62: 301-306.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 46 Woltring H. Representation and calculation of 3-D joint movement. Hum Mov Sci 1991; 10: 603-616.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 47 Gradner G, Bockstahler B, Peham C. et al. Kinematic study of back movement in clinically sound malinois dogs with consideration of the effect of radiographic changes in the lumbosacral junction. Vet Surg 2007; 36: 472-481.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 48 Bennett RL, DeCamp CE, Flo GL. et al. Kinematic gait analysis in dogs with hip dysplasia. Am J Vet Res 1996; 57: 966-971.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 49 Clements DN, Owen MR, Carmichael S. et al. Kinematic analysis of the gait of 10 labrador retrievers during treadmill locomotion. Vet Rec 2005; 156: 478-481.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 50 Kim SY, Kim JY, Hayashi K. et al. Skin movement during the kinematic analysis of the canine pelvic limb. Vet Com Orthop Traumatol 2011; 24: 326-332.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 51 Schwencke M, Smolders LA, Bergknut N. et al. Soft tissue artifact in canine kinematic gait analysis. Vet Surg 2012; 41: 829-837.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 52 Smith DB, Fuhr AW, Davis BP. Skin accelerometer displacement and relative bone movement of adjacent vertebrae in response to chiropractic percussion thrusts. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1989; 12: 26-37.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 53 Audigie F, Pourcelot P, Degueurce C. et al. Kinematics of the equine back: flexion-extension movements in sound trotting horses. Eq Vet J Suppl 1999; 30: 210-3.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 54 Townsend HG, Leach DH, Fretz PB. Kinematics of the equine thoracolumbar spine. Eq Vet J 1983; 15: 117-122.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 55 Licka TF, Peham C, Zohmann E. Treadmill study of the range of back movement at the walk in horses without back pain. Am J Vet Res 2001; 62: 1173-1179.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 56 Kramer J, Keegan KG, Wilson DA. et al. Kinematics of the hind limb in trotting horses after induced lameness of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints and intra-articular administration of anesthetic. Am J Vet Res 2000; 61: 1031-1036.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 57 Buchner HHF, Kastner J, Girtler D. et al. Quantification of hindlimb lameness in the horse. Acta Anatomica 1993; 146: 196-199.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 58 Williams GE, Silverman BW, Wilson AM. et al. Disease-specific changes in equine ground reaction force data documented by use of principal component analysis. Am J Vet Res 1999; 60: 549-555.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 59 DeCamp CE, Soutas-Little RW, Hauptman J. et al. Kinematic gait analysis of the trot in healthy greyhounds. Am J Vet Res 1993; 54: 627-634.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 60 Hottinger HA, DeCamp CE, Olivier NB. et al. Noninvasive kinematic analysis of the walk in healthy large-breed dogs. Am J Vet Res 1996; 57: 381-388.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 61 Torres BT, Punke JP, Fu YC. et al. Comparison of canine stifle kinematic data collected with three different targeting models. Vet Surg 2010; 39: 504-512.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar