Gait analysis

Introduction

• Assessing lame dogs is not easy. For many years the veterinarian has relied on a visual assessment of the dog at various gaits (usually walking or trotting), combined with a history from the owner and a clinical examination. However, a recent study has shown that there are significant errors with visual scoring of canine lameness compared to objective measurement of lameness (Waxman et al, 2008).
• Whilst subjective assessment of gait will always be a day-to-day activity for small animal clinicians, an understanding of objective methods is useful because, increasingly, this is how medical and surgical treatments are assessed by researchers and veterinary medical regulatory authorities.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed.
• Waxman A S, Robinson D A, Evans R B et al(2008) Relationship between objective and subjective assessment of limb function in normal dogs with an experimentally induced lameness. Vet Surg 37 , 241-246 PubMed.
• Lee J Y, Kim G, Kim J H et al(2007) Kinematic gait analysis of the hind limb after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy and cranial tibial wedge osteotomy in ten dogs. Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series A-Physiology Pathology Clinical Medicine 54 , 579-584 PubMed.
• Lascelles B D X, Roe S C, Smith E et al(2006) Evaluation of a pressure walkway system for measurement of vertical limb forces in clinically normal dogs. Am J Vet Res 67 , 277-282 PubMed.
• Clements D N, Owen M R, Carmichael S et al(2005) Kinematic analysis of the gait of 10 labrador retrievers during treadmill locomotion. Vet Rec 156 , 478 PubMed.
• Conzemius M G, Evans R B, Besancon M F et al(2005) Effect of surgical technique on limb function after surgery for rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in dogs. JAVMA 226 , 232-236 PubMed.
• Colborne G R, Innes J F, Comerford E J et al(2005) Distribution of power across the hind limb joints in Labrador Retrievers and Greyhounds. Am J Vet Res 66 , 1563-1571 PubMed.
• Besancon M F, Conzemius M G, Evans R B et al(2004) Distribution of vertical forces in the pads of Greyhounds and Labrador Retrievers during walking. Am J Vet Res 65 , 1497-1501 PubMed.
• Owen M R, Richards J, Clements D N et al(2004) Kinematics of the elbow and stifle joints in greyhounds during treadmill trotting - An investigation of familiarisation. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 17 , 141-145.
• Nielsen C, Stover S M, Schulz K S et al(2003) Two-dimensional link-segment model of the forelimb of dogs at a walk. Am J Vet Res 64 , 609-617 PubMed.
• Innes J F, Fuller C J, Grover E R et al(2003) Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study of P54FP for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis. Vet Rec 152 , 457-460 PubMed.
• Bolliger C, DeCamp C E, Stajich M et al(2002) Gait analysis of dogs with hip dysplasia treated with gold bead implantation acupuncture. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 15 , 116-122.
• Hottinger H A, DeCamp C E, Olivier N B et al(1996) Noninvasive kinematic analysis of the walk in healthy large-breed dogs. Am J Vet Res 57 , 381-388.
• Bennett R L, DeCamp C E, Flo G L et al(1996) Kinematic gait analysis in dogs with hip dysplasia. Am J Vet Res 57 , 966-971 PubMed.
• DeCamp C E, Riggs C M, Olivier N B et al(1996) Kinematic evaluation of gait in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Am J Vet Res5 7 , 120-126 PubMed.
• Vasseur P B, Johnson A L, Budsberg S C et al(1995) Randomized, Controlled Trial of the Efficacy of Carprofen, A Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drug, In The Treatment Of Osteoarthritis In Dogs. JAVMA 206 , 807-811 PubMed.
• Allen K, Decamp C E, Braden T D et al(1994) Kinematic gait analysis of the trot in healthy mixed breed dogs. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 7 , 148-153.