Three‐dimensional kinematics of the tarsal joint at the trot

Abstract

The tarsal joint is a common site of injury for many sport horses. Understanding the biomechanics of this complex joint begins with developing a clear picture of the kinematics during normal locomotion. This study describes the 3D kinematics of the tarsal joint by measuring the motion of the tibia and third metatarsus in 4 sound Quarter Horses with targets attached directly to the bones via steel pins. The objective was to determine if the tarsus had significant motion outside the tarsocrural joint. Two Steinmann pins were inserted into the lateral side of the right hindlimb and marker triads were fixed to the end of each pin. 3D motion of the bones was recorded as each subject trotted in hand. Three rotations were expressed using an attitude vector based on the finite helical angle method. Three translations were calculated as the motion of the tibia relative to the third metatarsus. Angular and translation data were mostly coupled with flexion angle. Internal/external rotation during stance and translations during swing showed evidence of noncoupled motion. Although the majority of tarsal motion occurs in the tarsocrural joint, there is evidence that translations and rotations occur in other locations within the tarsal joint and that some of these are related to the tarsal joint 'snapping' phenomenon. This research provides a set of reference 3D kinematics which will aid in the study of the aetiology and mechanical effects of tarsal joint lameness.

Osteochondral lesions in distal tarsal joints of Icelandic horses reveal strong associations between hyaline and calcified cartilage abnormalities

“…1) (Shively, 1982). These joints are relatively flat low-motion joints that allow mild rotation and translation of the distal tarsal region (Sisson, 1975), have an important shock absorbing function (Pool, 1996;Lanovaz et al, 2002) and are exposed primarily to compressive loading (Schamhardt et al, 1989). The conformation of the joints of the distal tarsal region means they are exposed to minimal shear forces compared to high motion metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal and carpal joints (Pool, 1996).…”

Effect of Sequential Removal of Parts of the Second Metacarpal Bone on the Biomechanical Stability of the Equine Carpus

“…Three‐dimensional kinematics have been used to evaluate joint motion in the horse both in vivo and in vitro . The technique involves placement of markers on skin or directly within bony landmarks.…”

Verification of skin‐based markers for 3‐dimensional kinematic analysis of the equine tarsal joint

“…Since the segments between the 3 distal tarsal joints are extremely short it is not possible to attach skin markers to represent each segment of the tarsal joint complex, although some assumptions could be made regarding the motion of these joints. The tarsocrural joint has a screw motion (Badoux 1987;Lanovaz et al 2002a), which implies that rotational and translational motions of the tarsocrural joint in any direction are highly coupled with flexion/extension of this joint. Loss of coupling between flexion/extension and the other motions suggests movement at tarsal joints outside the tarsocrural joint (Lanovaz et al 2002a).…”

“…Data derived from 5 strides were combined and a mean curve for each horse was constructed to represent that horse's movement pattern. The true rotational and translational motions of the tarsal joint, derived from bone-fixed markers data (BFD) (Lanovaz et al 2002a) from the same group of horses, were used as reference values. The mean curves for the 3D motions from the corrected (CSD) and uncorrected (USD) skin displacement data of each horse were compared with the true motions of the tarsal joint.…”

“…However, complex joints, such as the tarsal joint, may not function as simple hinges. Three-dimensional (3D) motions of the equine tarsal joint complex have been described by tracking the movements of marker triads fixed to the tibia and metatarsus (Lanovaz et al 2002a). Measurable amounts of tarsal joint motion were found in the frontal (abduction and adduction) and transverse (axial rotation) planes, some of which occurred outside the tarsocrural joint.…”