Head and pelvic vertical displacement in dogs with induced swinging limb lameness: an experimental study

Abstract

BackgroundSwinging limb lameness is defined as a motion disturbance ascribed to a limb in swing phase. Little is known about its biomechanics in dogs, particularly about the body motions that accompany it, such as vertical head and pelvic motion asymmetry. The aim of this study was to describe the changes in vertical head and pelvic motion asymmetry in dogs with induced swinging limb motion disturbance, mimicking a swinging limb lameness. Fore- and hind-limb lameness was induced in ten sound dogs by placing a weight (200 g) proximal to the carpus or tarsus, respectively. Marker-based motion capture by eight infrared light emitting video cameras recorded the dogs when trotting on a treadmill. Body symmetry parameters were calculated, including differences between the two highest positions of the head (HDmax) and pelvis (PDmax) and between the two lowest positions of the head (HDmin) and pelvis (PDmin), with a value of zero indicating perfect symmetry.ResultsInduction of swinging forelimb lameness showed significant changes in HDmax (median and range: sound 1.3 mm [− 4.7 to 3.1], in the left side − 28.5 mm [− 61.2 to − 17.9] and in the right side 20.1 mm [− 4.4 to 47.5]) and, induction of swinging hind limb lameness showed significant changes in PDmax (sound 2.7 mm [− 7.4 to 7.2], in the left side − 10.9 mm [− 22.4 to 0.5] and in the right side 8.6 mm [− 3 to 30]), as well as an increased hip movement asymmetry (sound 1.6 mm [− 8.6 to 19.9], in the left side − 18.1 mm [− 36.7 to 5.4] and in the right side 15 mm [− 20.7 to 32.1]) (P < 0.05).ConclusionsInduced swinging fore- and hind limb lameness resulted in significant increased asymmetry of the maximal vertical displacement movement of the head and pelvis, due to decreased lifting of the head in forelimb lameness and of the pelvis in hind limb lameness. The results suggest that asymmetry of the maximal vertical displacement of the head and pelvis (i.e. lifting) is a key lameness sign to evaluate during examination of swinging limb lameness.

Simple Video-Based Spatiotemporal Gait Analysis Is Not Better than Subjective Visual Assessment of Lameness in Dogs

“…23 In contrast to previous studies using motion-capture or inertial sensors, we could not demonstrate clinically useful performance for lameness screening of symmetry indices related to head or pelvic height. 9,10,24 Superficially, both this study and the previous studies assessed similar grades of lameness. A key difference between this and the previous studies is that our patients had naturally occurring lameness, as opposed to induced swinging or supporting lameness in one limb at a time.…”

“…Mid-stance for the forelimb was defined as that frame in which the midline of the antebrachium was aligned perpendicularly to the ground, and for the hindlimb as that frame in which the front border of the paw and the highest point in the pelvic region were aligned vertically. 10,13 Using the rectangle tool in ImageJ, 14 vertical distances were obtained in pixels for various anatomic landmarks (►Fig. 1).…”

Retrospective evaluation and review of approaches for nonspecific lameness in dogs presented to an emergency service (2013–2014): 134 cases

“…2,3 Lameness is defined as a systematically recurring divergence from motion symmetry that can be a result of functional impairment, pain, or mechanical disturbance. [4][5][6] Based on clinical presentation, lameness can be graded on a scale of 0-5, with 1 representing slight, intermittent lameness and 5 representing continuous non-weightbearing lameness. 4,6 Emergency cases of lameness present in an array of severity, from continuous nonweightbearing, to a subtle lateral deviation during the swing phase of a walk, to a change in the perceived mobility, activity, or performance of the dog.…”

“…[4][5][6] Based on clinical presentation, lameness can be graded on a scale of 0-5, with 1 representing slight, intermittent lameness and 5 representing continuous non-weightbearing lameness. 4,6 Emergency cases of lameness present in an array of severity, from continuous nonweightbearing, to a subtle lateral deviation during the swing phase of a walk, to a change in the perceived mobility, activity, or performance of the dog. Even mild cases of lameness can be distressing to owners.…”

“…Similarly, primary care practitioners also face managing lameness evaluations as urgent presentations within a busy schedule 2,3 . Lameness is defined as a systematically recurring divergence from motion symmetry that can be a result of functional impairment, pain, or mechanical disturbance 4–6 4,6 .…”