Gait Analysis

Gait Analysis



Basic Information image



Synonym(S)


Kinematic lameness evaluation, evaluation of lameness



Overview and Goal(s)


Evaluation of lameness while observing the horse moving is current standard of care. However, agreement for evaluation of mild to moderate lameness is poor. Gait analysis has determined the movement parameters most sensitive for detection of lameness in horses. Although altered limb movement may be helpful in select cases, asymmetry of vertical movement of the torso is more sensitive and specific.



Indications


Mild or multiple limb lameness, evaluating lameness after blocking, prepurchase evaluations, evaluating recovery after treatment



Equipment


Two accelerometers and one gyroscopic sensor (for right forelimb), tablet computer, USB Bluetooth receiver, head bumper, pastern pouch, tape



Anticipated Time


15 minutes



Preparation: Important Checkpoints (Figure 1)




• Attach the head sensor to the head bumper.


• Attach the pelvis sensor to a strip of 3M Dual Lock tape on the dorsal midline and tape in place.


• Place the gyroscopic sensor in the right forelimb pastern pouch on the dorsal aspect of the limb.


• Place sensor labels face up (head and pelvis sensors) or out (right forelimb sensor).


• Face the light-emitting diodes of sensors forward (head and pelvis sensors) or up (right forelimb sensor). Collect at least 25 strides.


image

FIGURE 1 Lameness Locator (Equinosis) body-mounted sensors.



Possible Complications and Common Errors to be Avoided




• Placing gyroscopic sensor on a limb other than right forelimb


• Placing gyroscopic sensor upside down or backwards


• Switching head and pelvic accelerometer



Procedure



FORELIMB LAMENESS (Figure 2)




• Pain in first half of stance:


image Neck muscles reduce weight bearing by restricting fall of the head and neck.

image Measure the difference in minimum head position (HEADDIFFMIN) between left and right limb stances.

image By convention, HEADDIFFMIN is positive when the head falls less during right forelimb stance and negative when the head falls less during left forelimb stance.

image The horse may also push off the opposite, sound limb harder.

image Measure the difference in maximum head position (HEADDIFFMAX) between left and right limb stances.

image By convention, HEADDIFMAX is positive when the head rises more after left forelimb push-off and negative when the head rises more after right forelimb push-off.

image Lameness closer to beginning of stance will cause greater asymmetry in HEADIFFMAX than in HEADDIFFMIN.

image Lameness closer to midstance will cause greater asymmetry in HEADDIFFMIN than in HEADDIFFMAX.

image Horses with positive HEADDIFFMIN and HEADDIFFMAX have lameness in the first half of right forelimb stance.

image Horses with negative HEADDIFFMIN and HEADDIFFMAX have lameness in the first half of left forelimb stance.

• Pain in second half of stance:


image Neck muscle activity reduces force on limb by raising the head and neck.

image Measure the difference in maximum head position (HEADDIFFMAX) after push-off between right and left limbs.

image By convention, HEADDIFFMAX is negative when the head rises more after push-off of the right forelimb and negative when the head rises more after push-off of the left forelimb.

image Lameness closer to breakover will cause greater asymmetry in HEADDIFFMAX than in HEADDIFFMIN.

image Horses with negative HEADDIFFMAX and positive HEADDIFFMIN have lameness in the second half of the right forelimb stance.

image Horses with positive HEADDIFFMAX and negative HEADDIFFMIN have lameness in the second half of the left forelimb stance.

• Forelimb lameness is displayed as a ray diagram (see Figure 2). The x-axis is HEADDIFFMAX and the y-axis is HEADDIFFMIN.


image Each blue ray is one stride.
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Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Gait Analysis

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