Lecture 1: Gait Evaulation

Dr. Wanstrath

t / f dogs have a more flexible spine than horses

true

anatomical features that affect canine gait

less ribs than horses

separate radius/ulna and

feet grip

gait

series of joint, segment, and whole body movements used for locomotion

what things affect gait?

surface property, surface incline, pathway, injury

two phases of the gait cycle

stance phase and swing phase

stance phase

period where foot is in contact with the ground

first part of stance phase

braking force as foot makes contact with the ground

second part of stance phase

period of propulsion

swing phase

period where foot is in the air

first part of swing phase

leg swings backwards as part of propulsion

second part of swing phase

muscles swing it forwards for locomotion

third part of swing phase

muscles bring leg backwards to place on ground

stride

cycle of body movements that begins with the contact of one foot and ends when that food again contacts the ground

symmetric gaits

walk, trot, pace

asymmetric gaits

gallop and canter

6 canine gaits

walk, trot, transverse and rotary canter, transverse and rotary gallop

which gait is the slowest?

walk

t / f pelvic limb is always followed by forelimb on opposite side

false, same side

which is the only gait to have three feet on the ground at the same time?

walk

walk alternates between how many feet on the ground?

two and three

where does the rear foot go during a walk gait?

just in front of where the front limb was

trot

diagonal limbs strike ground at same time

when is the moment of suspension during trot?

after each pair of diagonal legs lifts off and before other pair strikes ground

how many sets of foot prints are seen in a trot and why?

2 because pelvic limb moving forward steps into spot where front foot of same side was

dogs with angulated limbs will may used which type of gait?

support trot

support trot

one front leg remains on ground where other breeds would be in suspension

how should forelimbs and pelvic limbs look from the front during trot?

straight and converge on the center point under dog’s body

cow hocked

tarsi closer together than feet

why do some breeds adopt cow hocked stance?

allows for stability when lying down and standing up easily

best gait for evaluating lameness

trot

why is trot the best gait to evaluate lameness?

only gait where forelimbs and pelvic limbs never assist bearing of contralateral limb

symmetrical and slow enough for human eye to observe stride length and foot placement

lead leg

second of the forelimb or rear limb to strike the ground

why is the lead leg the second leg?

second leg strikes the ground in front of the first leg

endurance gait

canter

two types of canter

rotary and transverse

transverse canter

same lead leg in both front and rear legs

rotary canter

use opposite lead legs in front vs rear

why does a rotary canter have a rolling appearance?

two ipsilateral limbs move forward together

which gait provides a great advantage when turning

rotary canter

which leg is the lead leg when turning during a canter?

front leg in the direction of the turn

gallop

two moments of suspension followed alternately by forelimbs or pelvic limbs

how is power during gallop produced?

highly muscular and flexible spine and abdomen

how does canine gallop differ from horse canter?

dogs can use different lead legs in front and hind limbs

amble

dog is walking and begins to speed up gradually

t / f amble does not have moments where three feet are on the ground at the same time

false

pace

both limbs on same side of body are moving forward together

does a pace have a period of suspension?

yes

ideal are to do gait examination

secure footing and free from distractions

gaits evaluated during clinical examination

walk and trot

segments of axial vertebral column

cranial

cervical

thoracic

abdominal

tail

appendicular segment

front limbs and hind limbs

locomotion is result of what?

body structure moving in individual segments

what is the relationship between segments and joints determined by?

relationship of dog’s center of gravity to surface

type of movement the body is performing

conformation

symmetry, size, and shape of body regions relative to each other

grade 1 lameness

lameness is difficult to observe, not consistently apparent

grade 2 lameness

lameness difficult to observe at a walk, but consistent under certain circumstances

grade 3 lameness

lameness consistently observed at a trot

grade 4 lameness

lameness obvious at a walk

grad 5 lameness

minimal to non-weight bearing lame with motion or at rest

objective gait analysis

temporal characteristics

electromyographic signals

kinetics of foot connecting floor/ground

kinematics of limb segments

electromyography

study of electrical impulses generated in active muscle

purpose of electromyography

assess which muscles are being used

what does kinetic gait evaulation quantify?

forces of locomotion by using measurement systems to evaluate kinetic variables

components of kinetic gait evaulation

peak vertical, braking, propulsive, and horizontal forces

vertical, braking, and propulsive impulses

strain with various tissues

rates of loading

temporal gait characteristics

pressure distributions of the paw

what are the most common methods of kinetic evaluation?

force plate analysis

PSW

force plate

measure ground reaction forces exerted on limbs

three orthogonal components of force plate

vertical z plane

cranial-caudal y plane

medial lateral x plane