Center of pressure limb path differences for the detection of lameness in dogs: a preliminary study

Abstract

Background The limb center of pressure (COP) path measures and quantifies the load distribution within a limb in a still or moving subject. Under this premise, the aim of this study was to test whether data derived from this parameter could detect the differences between sound and lame limbs in unilaterally lame dogs with elbow dysplasia. To accomplish this purpose, ten unilaterally lame dogs of similar conformation were walked over a pressure platform. Next, the COP path, in relation to the position of sound and lame limbs, was measured in a coordinate system over a standard paw template obtained by pedobarography during the whole support phase. To compare variables, force platform data (peak vertical force and vertical impulse) from the same animals were obtained. Sound and lame limb statokinesiograms were also obtained while the animals stood still. Results The statistical analysis clearly showed that COP in lame limbs start cranially and were shorter than sound limbs. In addition, the value of the COP excursion index was lower in lame limbs. Finally, the area of statokinesiograms was greater in lame limbs. Conclusion This methodology based in limb COP characteristics serves to discriminate between sound and lame limbs in dogs with elbow dysplasia. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-019-1881-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Center of Pressure in the Paws of Clinically Sound Dogs in Comparison with Orthopedically Diseased Dogs

“…The study by Lopez et al [16] used dynamic measurements to investigate COP limb path differences of dogs with osteoarthritis due to elbow dysplasia. Despite the similar approach, a comparison with our results is difficult due to different investigated parameters.…”

“…Nevertheless, the mentioned study showed that differences in COP parameters between sound and lame limbs exist in diseased animals, which is in accordance with our findings. Although in the study of Lopez et al [16] promising parameters were already used to investigate the COP in the paw of the walking dog, in this paper, we partially used different parameters. Further studies should investigate which parameters (or possible combinations thereof) are best suited to describe compensatory changes of the COP caused by osteoarthritis.…”

“…The area of the statokinesiogram showed lower values in the sound limb and thus more instability in the diseased limb. The study concluded that COP characteristics can be used to differentiate between sound and diseased extremities [16].…”

“…It should therefore be noted that there are studies in which the body COP [4,7,8,14,15] was investigated, while other studies focused on the COP of the individual foot (or paw) [13,[16][17][18][19]. In addition, data concerning the COP have been obtained by static (standing) [4,7,8,[14][15][16] or dynamic (locomotion) [16][17][18][19] measurements in various studies.…”

Evaluation of gait character of Akbaş and Kangal shepherd dogs by using pressure-sensitive walkway

“…PSW system has been used in both healthy [36,25] and lame [16,17,37] dogs and the reference data have been obtained. Using especially PVF data, the data of the dogs with orthopedic problems have been compared.…”