title: Computer-assisted kinematic evaluation of induced compensatory movements resembling lameness in horses trotting on a treadmill.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize compensatory movements of the head and pelvis that resemble lameness in horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  17 adult horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kinematic evaluations were performed while horses trotted on a treadmill before and after shoe-induced lameness. Lameness was quantified and the affected limb determined by algorithms that measured asymmetry in vertical movement of the head and pelvis. Induced primary lameness and compensatory movements resembling lameness were assessed by the Friedman test. Association between induced lameness and compensatory movements was examined by regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compensatory movements resembling lameness in the ipsilateral forelimb were seen with induced lameness of a hind limb. There was less downward and less upward head movement during and after the stance phase of the ipsilateral forelimb. Doubling the severity of lameness in the hind limb increased severity of the compensatory movements in the ipsilateral forelimb by 50%. Compensatory movements resembling lameness of the hind limb were seen after induced lameness in a forelimb. There was less upward movement of the pelvis after the stance phase of the contralateral hind limb and, to a lesser extent, less downward movement of the pelvis during the stance phase of the ipsilateral hind limb. Doubling the severity of lameness in the forelimb increased compensatory movements of the contralateral hind limb by 5%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Induced lameness in a hind limb causes prominent compensatory movements resembling lameness in the ipsilateral forelimb. Induced lameness in a forelimb causes slight compensatory movements resembling lameness in the ipsilateral and contralateral hind limbs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
authors.forename: Gal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kelmer
authors.forename: Kevin G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Keegan
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Frank P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Prableen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000503:physiopathology; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000503:physiopathology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006736:Horses; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis / Q000502:physiology