Three-dimensional carpal kinematics of trotting horses.
BACKGROUND
Descriptions of 3D kinematics assist in understanding joint function and dysfunction, and are an essential step toward 3D inverse dynamic analysis.


OBJECTIVE
To measure 3D carpal joint motion during trotting.


METHODS
Three-dimensional trajectories of bone-fixed markers on the radius and third metacarpus of the right forelimb of 3 healthy horses were recorded at 120 Hz using a 6-camera analysis system. Joint kinematics were calculated in terms of helical angles between the 2 segments using a spatial attitude method.


RESULTS
All horses showed carpal extension and internal rotation of the metacarpus relative to the radius as the carpus assumed the close-packed position. In late stance, the carpus began a cycle of flexion that continued through midswing, accompanied by a small cycle of internal rotation. The direction of abduction/adduction varied between horses. The predominant rotational movement was flexion/extension, which showed a range of motion of 15 +/- 6 degrees in stance and 76 +/- 13 degrees in swing.


CONCLUSIONS
Carpal motions were generally similar between horses with the exception of abduction/adduction.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of carpal joint motion should assist in understanding the pathogenesis of carpal injuries. However, it seems probable that real differences exist between individuals; therefore, further investigations of the effect of conformation on carpal motion should be performed in a much larger population of horses.
Clayton
H M
HM
McPhail Equine Performance Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
Sha
D
D
Stick
J A
JA
Mullineaux
D R
DR
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002350:Carpus, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006736:Horses / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000662:veterinary; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation