In‐vivo three‐dimensional knee kinematics during daily activities in dogs

Abstract

The canine knee is morphologically similar to the human knee and thus dogs have been used in experimental models to study human knee pathology. To date, there is limited data of normal canine 3D knee kinematics during daily activities. The objective of this study was to characterize 3D in-vivo femorotibial kinematics in normal dogs during commonly performed daily activities. Using single-plane fluoroscopy, six normal dogs were imaged performing walk, trot, sit, and stair ascent activities. CT-generated bone models were used for kinematic measurement using a 3D-to-2D model registration technique. Increasing knee flexion angle was typically associated with increasing tibial internal rotation, abduction and anterior translation during all four activities. The precise relationship between flexion angle and these movements varied both within and between activities. Significant differences in axial rotation and coronal angulation were found at the same flexion angle during different phases of the walk and trot. This was also found with anterior tibial translation during the trot only. Normal canine knees accommodate motion in all planes; precise kinematics within this envelope of motion are activity dependent. This data establishes the characteristics of normal 3D femorotibial joint kinematics in dogs that can be used as a comparison for future studies.

Computation of Femoral Canine Morphometric Parameters in Three‐Dimensional Geometrical Models

“…Although 3D models are a well‐established diagnostic tool for people, they are new to veterinary medicine. Recent efforts to develop consistent imaging techniques led to a 3D approach for veterinary orthopedic investigation . The 3D models allow volume measurement, evaluation of joint congruency, and rotation of deformed bones at a desired orientation, creating cross‐sectional views from any position .…”

“…The 3D femoral surface models can be constructed with data acquired from biplanar radiographs, CT, MR, and surface meshing software . Computation on 3D geometric models has been recently introduced as a source of reliable data for investigating canine hip joint osteoarthritic degeneration, designing bone templates, analyzing the femoral surface, and also for in vivo kinematics research …”

Normal patellofemoral kinematic patterns during daily activities in dogs

“…The single-plane flat-panel imaging and shape-matching methodology utilized in this study was previously validated for femorotibial kinematics in dogs [15, 21]. The precision of this methodology for this joint was determined to be within 1.28 mm and 1.58° with an intraobserver variability of less than 0.52 mm and 0.91° for translation and rotations, respectively [21].…”

“…Kinematic poses were normalized and interpolated to allow for comparative analysis of each cycle shape-matched. The kinematic properties were described in relation to femorotibial flexion angle, which have been reported for this exact data set in a separate study [15].

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“…In-vivo femorotibial kinematics in normal and cranial-cruciate ligament deficient stifles of dogs have been characterized using continuous horizontal-beam imaging [13–15]. To the investigators’ knowledge, in vivo dynamic patellofemoral kinematics has not been studied in dogs.…”