Evaluation of a pressure walkway system for measurement of vertical limb forces in clinically normal dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To compare ground reaction forces (GRFs) measured by use of a pressure-sensitive walk-way (PSW) and a force plate (FP) and evaluate weekly variation in the GRFs and static vertical forces in dogs.


METHODS
34 clinically normal dogs and 5 research dogs with lameness.


METHODS
GRF data were collected from 5 lame and 14 clinically normal dogs by use of an FP and a PSW. Peak vertical force (PVF), vertical impulse (VI), and velocity measurements (determined by use of photocells and PSW data) were compared between groups. Peak vertical force, VI, stride length, ground phase time (ie, contact time), and static body weight distribution data were collected on 2 occasions, 1 week apart, in 20 different clinically normal dogs by use of a PSW; week-to-week variation in values was evaluated.


RESULTS
Measurements of velocity derived by use of the photocells were not different from those derived by use of the PSW. For any 1 limb, values derived by use of the PSW were significantly lower than values derived with the FP. For values obtained by use of either technique, there were no differences between left and right limbs except for values of PVF measured via PSW in forelimbs. Values of PVF, VI, contact time, stride length, and static weight distribution generated by the PSW did not vary from week to week.


CONCLUSIONS
Values for GRFs varied between the FP and PSW. However, data derived by use of PSW were consistent and could be used to evaluate kinetic variables over time in the same dog.
Lascelles
B Duncan X
BD
Comparative Pain Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
Roe
Simon C
SC
Smith
Eric
E
Reynolds
Lisa
L
Markham
Jacqueline
J
Marcellin-Little
Denis
D
Bergh
Mary Sarah
MS
Budsberg
Steven C
SC
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001835:Body Weight; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D004285:Dogs; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006262:Health; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male