Publicação
Characterization of lameness localised to the proximal metacarpal/tarsal regions using objective gait analysis systems
| Resumo: | Dressage and classical riding are the disciplines in which horses have the highest occurrence rate of proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD), either because of intrinsic or extrinsic risk factors. Lameness is a serious consequence of this musculoskeletal pathology. Thus, considering the important role of the quality of gait within the sport and the classical riding exhibitions and the fact that it is influenced by gait asymmetries, objective gait analysis can contribute to quantification and monitoring of locomotion regarding injured horses. This retrospective study aimed to objectively investigate if a characteristic type of lameness was found in horses which had been lame due to PSD between 2017 and 2022. It also intended to determine if subjective and objective gait evaluations were correlated with one another. Twenty one Lusitano horses were included in this study based on records of a positive response to diagnostic anaesthesia of the proximal suspensory region of affected limbs. Two different objective gait analysis systems, Lameness Locator and Equimoves, were used to obtain quantitative data from in-hand trotting assessments of all horses on a hard straight line as well as assessments on the lunge under both soft and hard surfaces. Impact lameness was the type most commonly found in affected forelimbs regardless of the condition of assessment. On the other hand, hindlimbs were characterised by showing either pushoff lameness or both impact and pushoff lameness types. The majority of lameness were of moderate degree. Among the verified correlations, the only ones that were statistically significant were |MaxDiff| of the head sensor and lameness scores (LS), whether injured limbs had been on the inside (p = 0,02375) or on the outside (p = 0,04167) of the circle on soft lunge examination. Although the suspensory ligament is an elastic structure, its main action and tension occur during the impact phase of the stride as it prevents overextension of the fetlock, which explains that in the forelimbs, due to higher loads, this pattern of lameness is more marked than in the hindlimbs. As for the latter, the prevalent pushoff pattern of the lameness might be justified by the potential higher strains placed on the proximal suspensory ligament as the animal uses its strong impulsion and propulsion power of the hindlimbs during this phase. Quantitative gait analysis systems used in this study proved to be helpful in the objective characterization of lameness localised to the proximal metacarpal/tarsal regions in Lusitano horses training and competing in dressage or performing in classical riding shows |
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| Autores principais: | Cascais, João Guerra |
| Assunto: | Horse Lameness Objective gait analysis Proximal suspensory desmitis Lusitano Cavalo Claudicação Análise objetiva de movimento Desmite proximal do ligamento suspensor do boleto Lusitano |
| Ano: | 2023 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade de Lisboa |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa |
| Resumo: | Dressage and classical riding are the disciplines in which horses have the highest occurrence rate of proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD), either because of intrinsic or extrinsic risk factors. Lameness is a serious consequence of this musculoskeletal pathology. Thus, considering the important role of the quality of gait within the sport and the classical riding exhibitions and the fact that it is influenced by gait asymmetries, objective gait analysis can contribute to quantification and monitoring of locomotion regarding injured horses. This retrospective study aimed to objectively investigate if a characteristic type of lameness was found in horses which had been lame due to PSD between 2017 and 2022. It also intended to determine if subjective and objective gait evaluations were correlated with one another. Twenty one Lusitano horses were included in this study based on records of a positive response to diagnostic anaesthesia of the proximal suspensory region of affected limbs. Two different objective gait analysis systems, Lameness Locator and Equimoves, were used to obtain quantitative data from in-hand trotting assessments of all horses on a hard straight line as well as assessments on the lunge under both soft and hard surfaces. Impact lameness was the type most commonly found in affected forelimbs regardless of the condition of assessment. On the other hand, hindlimbs were characterised by showing either pushoff lameness or both impact and pushoff lameness types. The majority of lameness were of moderate degree. Among the verified correlations, the only ones that were statistically significant were |MaxDiff| of the head sensor and lameness scores (LS), whether injured limbs had been on the inside (p = 0,02375) or on the outside (p = 0,04167) of the circle on soft lunge examination. Although the suspensory ligament is an elastic structure, its main action and tension occur during the impact phase of the stride as it prevents overextension of the fetlock, which explains that in the forelimbs, due to higher loads, this pattern of lameness is more marked than in the hindlimbs. As for the latter, the prevalent pushoff pattern of the lameness might be justified by the potential higher strains placed on the proximal suspensory ligament as the animal uses its strong impulsion and propulsion power of the hindlimbs during this phase. Quantitative gait analysis systems used in this study proved to be helpful in the objective characterization of lameness localised to the proximal metacarpal/tarsal regions in Lusitano horses training and competing in dressage or performing in classical riding shows |
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