Three‐Dimensional Kinematic Gait Analysis of Doberman Pinschers with and without Cervical Spondylomyelopathy

Abstract

Background The optimal treatment of cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) is controversial, with the owner’s and clinician’s perception of gait improvement often being used as outcome measures. These methods are subjective and suffer from observer bias. Objectives To establish kinematic gait parameters utilizing digital motion capture in normal Doberman Pinschers and compare them with CSM-affected Dobermans. Animals Nineteen Doberman Pinschers; 10 clinically normal and 9 with CSM. Methods All dogs were enrolled prospectively and fitted with a Lycra® body suit, and motion capture was performed and used to reconstruct a 3-D stick diagram representation of each dog based on 32 reflective markers, from which several parameters were measured. These included stride duration, length, and height; maximal and minimal spinal angles; elbow and stifle flexion and extension; and maximum and minimum distances between the thoracic and pelvic limbs. A random-effects linear regression model was used to compare parameters between groups. Results Significant differences between groups included smaller minimum (mean = 116 mm; P = .024) and maximum (mean = 184 mm; P = .001) distance between the thoracic limbs in CSM-affected dogs. Additionally, thoracic limb stride duration was also smaller (P = .009) in CSM-affected dogs (mean = 0.7 seconds) when compared with normal dogs (mean = 0.8 seconds). In the pelvic limbs, the average stifle flexion (mean = 100°; P = .048) and extension (mean = 136°; P = .009), as well as number of strides (mean = 2.7 strides; P = .033) were different between groups. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Our findings suggest that computerized gait analysis reveals more consistent kinematic differences in the thoracic limbs, which can be used as future objective outcome measures.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with Chiari-like malformation and Syringomyelia have increased variability of spatio-temporal gait characteristics

“…Furthermore, the increased variability is suggestive of an incoordination between pelvic and thoracic limbs with hypermetria, an abnormality of gait often associated with dysfunction of the cerebellum [11] or cranial spinal cord injury [13, 24]. The increased variation in distance between ipsilateral paws at the time of ground contact for the CM group and the CMSM group is similar to that reported in ataxic dogs with thoracolumbar spinal cord disease during walk on a treadmill [30].…”

“…Objective human gait analysis of patients with cerebellar ataxia show a) slower walk, prolonged duration of stance phase and increased variation of spatio-temporal characteristics and b) a wide based stance [9–11]. This increased variation of spatio-temporal characteristics is similar to that found in cats with experimentally induced spinal cord injury [12] and dogs with cervical spondylotic myelopathy [13]. We therefore hypothesised that CKCS diagnosed with CM or CM with SM, would have significantly increased a) variation of the spatio-temporal gait characteristics (stride length and duration of step cycle and stance) and b) wider base of support with an increased distance between pelvic and thoracic paws during walk.…”

Kinetic and kinematic follow‐up gait analysis in Doberman Pinschers with cervical spondylomyelopathy treated medically and surgically

“…Three‐dimensional motion capture also was performed as previously described . All dogs were fitted with a Lycra (Invista, Wichita, Kansas) bodysuit and 32 reflective markers were applied representing specific anatomic landmarks of the head, trunk, and limbs.…”

“…Specifically, gait analysis has been used for evaluation of orthopedic diseases including cranial cruciate ligament disease, hip dysplasia, and treatment outcomes after surgical repair of these conditions . Gait analysis also has been used in the evaluation of neurologic diseases in animal models, including dogs, horses, and rodents . More recently, these techniques were applied in evaluating dogs with CSM …”

“…Gait analysis also has been used in the evaluation of neurologic diseases in animal models, including dogs, horses, and rodents . More recently, these techniques were applied in evaluating dogs with CSM …”