Quantification of Hind Limb Lameness in the Horse

Abstract

The three-dimensional optoelectronic locomotion analysis system SELSPOT II was used for kinematic studies of hind limb locomotion patterns. Two groups, 11 sound horses and 15 horses suffering from hind limb lameness, were examined at the trot. Both graphical and quantitative analyses were compared in sound and lame horses. The parameter hip acceleration quotient (HAQ), using the different peaks of vertical acceleration of one hip during one stride, proved to be a suitable value for quantitative analysis of hind limb lameness. In sound horses the HAQ ranged from 1.03 to 1.54, lame horses showed values between 1.32 and 2.96. Checking and documentation of diagnostic anesthesias or therapies are possible applications.

Kinematics of the hind limb in trotting horses after induced lameness of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints and intra-articular administration of anesthetic

“…In clinically normal horses, the total vertical movement of 1 tuber coxae may be slightly different from the contralateral tuber coxae, that is, tuber coxae vertical movement may be somewhat asymmetrical normally. 10,12 In our study, however, the L/R RATIO before lameness induction was 1. Similar to other studies, 8,14 after lameness, the ratio of sound limb tuber coxae vertical excursion to lame limb tuber coxae vertical excursion decreased.…”

“…Changes identified in our study were similar to changes identified in a study of induced foot lameness (decreased fetlock joint extension during stance, decreased tarsal joint extension during stance, decreased hind limb protraction, and increased asymmetry of tubera coxae vertical movement) 13,14 and in a limited number of clinically affected horses with hind limb lameness of varying causes (increased asymmetry of tubera coxae vertical movement). 8,10 This suggests that similar gait compensations of the affected limb develop regardless of the location of lameness in the hind limb.…”

“…8,9 Kinematic gait analysis has been used to evaluate and quantify the changes in stride variables that occur during hind limb lameness in a limited number of clinically affected horses 8,[10][11][12] and in an experimentally induced hind limb foot lameness model. 13,14 Except for kinematic measurements made on a single horse, 11 an objective quantitative evaluation of distal tarsal joint lameness has not been reported.…”

Gait assessment in dairy cattle

“…For example, Buchner et al (1993) compared kinematic data from a group of sound horses and a group of horses that had varying degrees of hind limb lameness. Although this research indicated that horses with hind limb problems walked differently from sound animals, it did not specify how different hoof and leg pathologies affected an animal.…”

Investigations into the effect of a low palmar nerve block on the gait of sound horses using an optoelectronic measurement system

“…Keywords: kinematic gait analysis, optoelectronic measurement system, horse, diagnostic anesthesia, asymmetry Fleiss et al, 1979;Röbrle et al, 1983;Hatze, 1983;Husq 1990), beim Pferd (^F/oss et al, 1982Knezevic er al., t987;Slamanig 1988;Kastner, 1989;'Wagner, 1989;Kastner et al, 1990;Bucbner et al, 1992;Buchner et al, 1993;Kübber, t992) (Sachs, 1972;Krqszig 1979 …”