Hindlimb lameness: clinical judgement versus computerised symmetry measurement

Gait assessment in dairy cattle

“…Records are analysed using motion analysis software, capable of digitizing a sequence of movements automatically, and the data collected are used to calculate linear and angular displacements, velocity and acceleration of each marker (e.g. Peham et al, 2001).…”

Understanding hind limb lameness signs in horses using simple rigid body mechanics

“…1a, thin lines), vertical sacrum movement follows an almost perfectly sinusoidal shape (Audigie et al, 2002) while axial rotation of the pelvis (Fig. 1b) causes asymmetry in the vertical movement pattern of each tuber coxae (Buchner et al, 1996;Peham et al, 2001). In a lame horse, the interaction of asymmetrical vertical translation of the whole pelvis and pelvic rotation results in differing movement patterns (Fig.…”

“…Veterinary assessment strategies broadly fall into two groups: examination of up-and down movement of the sacrum region or comparison of both tubera coxae. Similarly, for computerised detection of hind limb lameness, studies have focussed either on the quantification of sacrum movement asymmetry (Buchner et al, 1996;Kramer et al, 2000Peham et al, 2001;Audigie et al, 2002;Church et al, 2009) or comparative tubera coxae movement asymmetry (May and Wyn-Jones, 1987;Kramer et al, 2000;Church et al, 2009). Studies that used both approaches came to varying conclusions regarding optimal landmark choice and asymmetry features (Buchner et al, 1996;Kramer et al, 2000;Church et al, 2009;Starke et al, 2012c;Starke et al, 2013;Pfau et al, 2014).…”

“…While research efforts are greatest in the human domain (Whittle, 1996;Simon, 2004;Wren et al, 2011), gait analysis in horses is also receiving significant interest (Keegan, 2007): with most horses being not only a companion animal but also an athlete, locomotor soundness is crucial for this species. Evidence for movement adaptations associated with equine lameness is presently generated by sampling empirical data, often from less than 20 horses, either by causing lameness through intervention (Buchner et al, 1996;Gomez-Alvarez et al, 2008) or by sampling data from animals admitted to veterinary institutions (May and Wyn-Jones, 1987;Peham et al, 2001;Audigie et al, 2002;Church et al, 2009;Keegan et al, 2010). In the light of the mounting observations and conclusions drawn from such discrete experimental findings that are already forming the foundation for evidence-based lameness detection, we propose that it is now time to test and deduce, rather than induce, expected gait changes and to understand field observations in the context of the underlying mechanics.…”

“…To detect gait abnormalities in horses visually or computationally, vertical movement asymmetry is evaluated; the magnitude of vertical movement asymmetry is highly correlated with the severity of pain (Buchner et al, 1996;Peham et al, 2001;Audigie et al, 2002; and results from load redistribution between the limbs. In gaits like walk and trot, vertical force profiles of contralateral limbs are normally close to identical (Merkens et al, 1986(Merkens et al, , 1993Merkens and Schamhardt, 1988;Barr et al, 1995), resulting in the body moving up and down symmetrically twice per stride.…”