Arthro-Biomechanical Investigation of the Tarsal Joint of One-Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius) during gait: Forensic Biomechanics Evidence

Abstract

It is expected that dromedary camel’s tarsus plays a crucial role in survivals in the arid and semiarid regions. These regions are open and the dromedary camel is tall with long legs. Thus, databases of biomechanical variables are needed to investigate the changes of velocity, displacement, angular changes as well as anatomical consideration of tarsal joint during walking and stance phase. Nine healthy camels of three different sizes and ages were selected for gait analysis using motion track program. Moreover, five tarsal joints cadavers obtained for 3D reconstruction computed tomography. The present study stated that, tarsal joint is a hinge biaxial joint, primarily allowing flexion, extension and small amount of rotation and gliding movement. The gait analysis during walking revealed some data of hind limb velocity, angular change and displacement of tarsal joint. Different sizes of camel had no significant effect on average and minimum value of velocity of hind limb during walking. Medium sized camel showed higher degree of extension of tarsal joint than small and large one. Medium and large camel showed significant higher vertical (p=0.01) and horizontal (p=0.05) displacement of right tarsal joint than small camel during walking. We anticipate our findings can be a useful tool in lameness investigation to discriminate between the normal and diseased gait as expecting the nature of the inhabitant environment as well as add promising evidence in the field of forensic biomechanics to avoid legal violations in racing camels.