History Of Orthopedic Disease Research Articles

A survey on the orthopedic and functional assessment in a Portuguese population of police working dogs

BackgroundWorking dogs are at an increased risk of developing an orthopedic disease compared to companion dogs. This study aimed to evaluate functional and orthopedic index fitness in a Portuguese population of police working dogs.In an observational, prospective study, information on 165 dogs was collected. The age, sex, breed, specific work, and history of previous diagnosis of orthopedic disease were recorded for each patient. A copy of the Canine Orthopedic Index (COI), Hudson Visual Analogue Scale (HVAS), and Functional Assessment (FA) was collected for all dogs. COI, HVAS, and FA scores between breeds, work, age, sex, and history of a previous diagnosis of orthopedic disease were compared. Multiple regression was run to predict COI, HVAS, and FA scores from breeds, work, age, sex, and history of orthopedic disease. Correlations between items were determined with Pearson's correlation. A p < 0.05 was set.ResultsThe sample was composed of 92 males and 73 females, with a mean age of 5.2 ± 3.2 years. Four main dog breeds were represented, 60 Belgian Malinois Shepherd Dogs, 52 German Shepherd Dogs, 29 Labrador Retrievers, and 14 Dutch Shepherd Dog. A prevalence of diarrhea of 10.6% was determined, with 4% of dogs having liquid diarrhea. German Shepherd Dogs had significantly higher FA scores (p = 0.03). Dogs with a history of previous veterinary assistance due to orthopedic issues had significantly lower HVAS scores and higher scores with all remaining questionnaires (p < 0.01 for all). No differences were found between sexes or specific work. Age and a history of orthopedic disease contributed to the prediction of all scores. FA scores had a good correlation with COI and HVAS.ConclusionThis population of police working dogs has a good to excellent level of physical fitness. There was a relationship between increasing age, history of orthopedic disease, and worse scores with all questionnaires. All considered questionnaires could differentiate between animals with a previous history of orthopedic disease and sound dogs.

Shear wave velocity measurement of upper trapezius muscle by color Doppler shear wave imaging.

Skeletal muscle stiffness is thought to be the result of increased tissue hardness, but measurement accuracy has been dependent on operator technique. We have proposed a novel shear wave real-time imaging method (color Doppler shear wave imaging: CD SWI) with continuous shear waves excited from the tissue surface by a mechanical vibrator. Using the method, shear wave velocity was measured for the upper trapezius muscle. Adaptive shear wave velocity measurement by means of quality estimation of shear wave wavefront was adopted. We recruited 23 male volunteers with no history of orthopedic disease and recorded shear wave propagation to assess the intra- and inter-observer reliability. For intra-observer reliability, one observer took two measurements separated by a time delay, and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated (1,1). For inter-observer reliability, ICC (2,1) was calculated from both observers' measurements. Mean propagation speed was 3.75±0.47 (first) and 3.71±0.49m/s (second) for Observer A (ICC (1,1)=0.91 [95% CI 0.76-0.96]) and 3.80±0.53m/s for Observer B (ICC (2,1)=0.83 [95% CI 0.56-0.94]). This result suggests that our technique is satisfactorily reliable and has potential for future application in various fields, such as evaluation of muscle condition or the effects of rehabilitation.

Effects of a Thermal Agent and Physical Activity on Muscle Tendon Stiffness, as Well as the Effects Combined With Static Stretching.

A recent review or article reported that thermal agents (TA) or physical activity (PA) can increase range of motion (ROM) and that the combination of TA with stretching is superior to performing stretching only. However, since ROM is affected by the psychological factors, it is questionable whether these studies measured the effect of these interventions on muscle flexibility. By measuring muscle stiffness, the authors attempted to evaluate the effect these interventions on muscle flexibility. To compare the individual effects of TA and PA on muscle flexibility, as well as their effectiveness when combined with static stretching (SS). Crossover trial. University research laboratory. 15 healthy men without a history of orthopedic disease in their lower limbs. 15 minutes of 3 different conditions: hot pack as TA, pedaling exercise as PA, and the control group with no TA or PA intervention, followed by 3 min of SS for the hamstrings. Joint angle and passive torque of the knee during passive elongation were obtained prior to interventions, after 3 kinds of intervention, and after SS. From these data, muscle-tendon-unit (MTU) stiffness of the hamstrings was calculated. Although knee-joint ROM increased with both TA and PA (P < .05), there were no significant differences in MTU stiffness between pre- and postintervention measurements for either of the interventions (TA, P = .477; PA, P = .377; control, P = .388). However, there were similar significant decreases in MTU stiffness between postintervention and post-SS for all conditions (P < .01). TA and PA did not decrease MTU stiffness, and combining these interventions with SS did not provide additional decreases in MTU stiffness compared with performing SS alone.

Kinematic chain between pronation/supination of calcaneus and rotation of shank: efficiency of the kinematics by plantar-dorsiflexed ankle joint position

Background: The kinematic chain of pronation/supination of calcaneus and internal/external rotation of shank in standing position provides smooth movement, such as gait, since the kinematic chain has a conversion function between movements of foot and shank on the plane of motion. Purpose: This study was aimed to clarify the change in the kinematic chain of calcaneus and shank by plantardorsiflexed ankle joint position. Methods: Subjects were 108 limbs of 25 healthy young adults (26.4± 3.7 yo) and 29 healthy elderly (73.5± 3.3 yo) without history of orthopedic disease in lower extremities. We measured pronation/supination movement of calcaneus and rotational movement of shank at standing position using 3Dmotion analysis system (VICON-NEXUS, ViconMotion Systems Ltd., UK). We defined the linear regression coefficient between calcaneus angle and shank angle as the kinematic chain ratio (KCR, shank angle/calcaneus angle) in the kinematic chain movement. KCR was measured in three ankle joint positions of neutral, 15◦-plantarflexion and 15◦-dorsiflexion positions. Differences in KCR values with factors of joint positions and ages were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test (significance at p< 0.05). Results: The significant difference in the KCR was observed among three positions of ankle, but not among ages. KCR was 0.9± 0.3 in plantarflexion position, 1.0± 0.2 in neutral position and 1.3± 0.4 in dorsiflexion position. KCR at dorsiflexion position was significantly larger than those at neutral and plantarflexion positions (p< 0.001). Furthermore, the KCR at neutral position was significantly larger than that at plantarflexion position (p< 0.05). Correlation coefficient between changes of KCR and shank anteversion angle was r= 0.01 in flexion or r= 0.41 (p< 0.001) in extension. Conclusion(s): This study reveals that KCR becomes larger along with the ankle movement from plantarflexion to dorsiflexion. Since kinematic chain of calcaneus and shank is caused by complex motion of the subtalar and talocrural joints, the KCRmay be affected by the orientation of responsible joint axis upon motion. When the ankle is dorsiflexed, the angle around major axises of shank and subtalar joint may be decreased in the sagittal plane. Hence, the conversion efficiency of the internal/external rotation of shank against the pronation/supination of calcaneus might be increased at the dorsiflexed ankle joint position, leading to the increased KCR. On the other hand, the decreased KCR at plantarflexed ankle joint position may be due to the increased angle between subtalar joint axis and the major shank axis. Present experiments further suggest that the stability of the talocrural joint affects the chain movement as the stable and rigid joint may lead to the constantly gradual increase in KCR upon ankle dorsiflexion, while inconstant decrease in KCR at the plantarflexion may be associated with the instable talocrural joint. Implications:When analyzing the kinematic chainmovement of calcaneus and shank, it should be noted that the manner of kinematic chain changes along with the alteration of the ankle joint position.

Ultra‐High Field MRI Clinical Anatomy of the Equine Fetlock to Aid Clinical Image Interpretation

Reasons for performing studyInterpretation of clinical diagnostic imaging of the equine musculoskeletal system requires accurate reference anatomical materials. In the case of MRI, this includes images acquired from low and high field systems. Using ultra‐high field MRI, higher resolution images with small slice thickness and gap suitable for reconstruction in any anatomical plane can be produced.ObjectivesTo describe the normal equine metacarpophalangeal joint using ultra‐high field MRI and compare ultra‐high and high field MR images.Study designLimbs (n = 14) from horses (n = 5) with no history of orthopaedic disease were frozen at ‐20°C until imaging. Fetlock joints were scanned using an ultra‐high field (7T) MRI unit. T1 (280 slices, thickness = 0.356 mm) and T2 (140 slices, thickness = 0.713 mm) weighted sequences were acquired. Limbs were scanned using a 1.5T MRI unit in transverse, sagittal, and dorsal planes using T1 (60 slices, thickness 2.2–3.5 mm) and T2 (60 slices, thickness 2.2–3.5 mm) sequences. Images were analysed using OsiriX software.ResultsUltra‐high field MR images visualised the fine detail of trabecular and subchondral bone, the articular cartilage surface of P1 and McIII, the short, oblique, straight and oblique sesamoidean ligaments including origins and insertions, the fasicular structure of superficial digital flexor tendon, deep digital flexor tendon and ligaments and the regional neurovascular structures. Whilst T1 high field images visualised the majority of tissues, structural detail was reduced compared to ultra‐high field imaging, margins were less well defined in some instances, e.g. articular cartilage, and a number of smaller structures were indistinct, e.g. short and cruciate sesamoidean ligaments.Conclusions7T MRI produced images of the fetlock with excellent anatomical detail. Future publication of open‐source ultra‐high field MRI files could aid the interpretation of 0.3T and 1.5T field MR images, especially with the capacity to reconstruct image slices orientated exactly to match those of interest.Ethical animal research: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow. Explicit owner informed consent for participation in this study was not stated but permission was given for post mortem examination and the use of materials in research. Sources of funding: The Royal Saudi Arabia Cultural Bureau. Competing interests: None.

Kinematic and temporospatial assessment of habituation of Labrador retrievers to treadmill trotting

This study investigated differences in kinematic and temporospatial variables in treadmill-naïve dogs when introduced to treadmill trotting and the time required to for them to become habituated to the treadmill. Twenty-four healthy Labrador retrievers, with an age range of 22–36months and with no history of orthopaedic disease, were included in the study. A motion capture system registered kinematic variables of the carpus, elbow, tarsus and stifle, along with stride time and stance duration, at 240Hz. Six sessions, each lasting 8–10min, walking and trotting on the treadmill were performed with each dog, with three sessions on each of two consecutive days. The between-stride variability of total angular displacement of the carpus, elbow, stifle and tarsus, as well as the stride and stance time, was higher during the day 1 trotting sessions than in the last session of day 2. These stabilised to non-significant levels before the second session on the second day of measurements and thus habituation was achieved.

Occurrence of Floating Toe from the Viewpoint of the Structure of Foot Arch

[Purpose] The purpose of this research was to investigate the occurrence and mechanism of floating toe from the viewpoint of the structure of foot arch.[Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 65 adult females who had no history of orthopedic disease. Subjects stood on a pedoscope and we took images of the soles. According to a floating-toe score which we created, we allocated subjects to a normal group and a floating-toe group using the obtained images. We measured the arch height percentage in the sitting position and standing position in the normal group and floating-toe group and found the difference of arch height percentage (value obtained by subtracting the arch height percentage in the standing position from that in the sitting position). Results of the measurements were compared between the two groups. [Results] Among 65 cases, 23 were allocated to the normal group and 18 were allocated to the floating-toe group. There was no significant difference between the two groups for the arch height percentage in the sitting and standing positions. The difference of arch height percentage in the floating-toe group was significantly smaller. [Conclusion] We presume that there are two types of foot - the type in which the arch rises and the type in which the arch lowers in the floating toe, and lifestyle, footwear and other factors are involved.

Cerebrospinal fluid from a dog with hind limb ataxia

A 9-year-old spayed female German Shepherd dog with a history of orthopedic disease was presented to the North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of recent, progressive, bilateral, hindlimb ataxia. Analysis of cisternal and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples revealed normal total nucleated cell counts and a mild increase in protein concentration in the lumbar sample. In cytocentrifuged specimens of both CSF samples, aggregates of refractile, angular to irregular, pale blue to colorless, crystalline material were observed in the background. Some of the material appeared birefringent under polarized light. Differentials for the material included contrast agent, epidural anesthetics or other pharmacologic agents, or artifact introduced through sample processing, collection, or handling. Based on investigation of clinical and laboratory processes it was determined that tubes used to collect CSF in the hospital recently had been changed from additive-free glass tubes to silica-coated shatter-resistant plastic tubes (BD Vacutainer Plus serum tubes, silicone-coated, Becton Dickinson). A cytocentrifuged preparation of saline placed in a silica-coated tube contained crystalline material identical to that observed in the CSF samples; saline placed in an additive-free glass tube contained no material. In this case, we document the microscopic appearance of highly concentrated silica particles in cytocentrifuged preparations of CSF and underscore the importance of recognizing and identifying this artifact in cytologic preparations.

Age related changes in biochemical markers of bone metabolism in horses

Biochemical markers of bone metabolism were analysed in serum samples obtained from 60 horses with no history of orthopaedic disease (age 3 months-20 years). Serum levels of the carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), a marker of bone formation and the pyridinoline cross linked telopeptide domain of type I collagen (ICTP), a putative marker of bone resorption, were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Serum levels of the bone specific isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (BALP), another marker of bone formation, were measured by a wheatgerm agglutinin affinity (WGA) method. Total alkaline phosphatase levels were also determined. Serum levels of PICP were significantly correlated with bone ALP (r = 0.78, P < 0.0001) and ICTP (r = 0.87, P < 0.0001). ICTP levels also correlated significantly with bone ALP (r = 0.81, P < 0.0001). However, total alkaline phosphatase did not correlate significantly with PICP, ICTP and BALP in horses over 1 year of age. There was an inverse correlation between serum levels of all biochemical markers and age of animals, with the most significant changes seen over the first 2 years. In animals less than 1 year of age, the reference ranges (mean +/- s.d. 1.96) were as follows: PICP 1216-2666 micrograms/l, ICTP 13.8-26.7 micrograms/l, bone ALP 134-288 u/l and total ALP 223-498 u/l. In 2-year-olds, the equivalent reference ranges were: PICP 550-1472 micrograms/l, ICTP 7.96-22.8 micrograms/l, bone ALP 32.7-125 u/l and total ALP 134-238 u/l.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)