Effect of induced hindlimb length difference on body-mounted inertial sensor measures used to evaluate hindlimb lameness in horses.

Jael B Pitts,Shannon K Reed,Joanne Kramer,Lori Thombs,Kevin G Keegan,Paul Schiltz,Sergiy Yakovenko

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0228872

Jael B Pitts, Shannon K Reed + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228872

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Abstract

This study has investigated the immediate effect of induced hindlimb length difference on hindlimb lameness measured as differences in minimum (Pmin) and maximum (Pmax) pelvic heights in 16 horses trotting in a straight line and lungeing on both hard and soft surfaces with body-mounted inertial sensors. Hindlimb length differences were induced by applying an Easyboot Glue-on shoe to one hindlimb. Changes in Pmin and Pmax with induced hindlimb length difference were assessed with a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA with trial (straight, lunge with inside limb elevation, lunge with outside limb elevation) and surface (hard, soft) as within-subject factors. Change in Pmin, indicating an impact-type lameness, in the hind limb with the elevation, was significant in both the straight line and while lunging on both hard and soft surfaces. Change in Pmax, indicating pushoff-type lameness, in the opposite, non-elevated hind limb, was significant when trotting in a straight line but not while lunging.

Highlights

Measurement of asymmetrical vertical movement of the pelvis is a common and accepted method to detect hindlimb lameness
Horses that were not considered lame by simple subjective observation by the resident veterinarian, that did not measure with consistent hindlimb lameness, and that did not have existing tubera coxae height asymmetry while standing squarely were evaluated for enrollment
There was significant change in Pmin and Pmax after elevation when the horse was trotting in a straight line on both hard and soft surfaces

Summary

Introduction

Measurement of asymmetrical vertical movement of the pelvis is a common and accepted method to detect hindlimb lameness. In horses with pain during hindlimb weight-bearing, the pelvic fall, the pelvic rise, or both, decrease for the lame compared to the non- or less-lame hindlimb, reflecting decreased force x time on the limbs in the first (impact) or second (pushoff) parts of stance[1]. This results in higher minimum pelvic height during stance and/or lower maximum pelvic height after stance of the lame, or more lame, hindlimb.

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