Evaluation of gait kinetics in puppies with coxofemoral joint laxity.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize ground reaction forces (GRFs) and determine whether there were correlations between forces and passive coxofemoral joint laxity in puppies.


METHODS
Fifty-one 16-week-old hound-breed dogs.


METHODS
Force-plate gait evaluation and distraction radiographic imaging were performed. Ground reaction forces evaluated included x (mediolateral), y (craniocaudal breaking and propulsion), and z (vertical) peak force and impulse. Z-plane limb loading and unloading rates, loading interval, and weight distribution and y-plane stance time breaking and propulsion percentages were calculated. One-way ANOVA with the Duncan multiple range test was used to evaluate differences in gait variables among limbs. The relationships of left, right, highest, and mean distraction index (DI) with individual limb data of each dog were evaluated with the Spearman rank correlation. Left and right DIs were compared by means of linear regression analysis.


RESULTS
Mean +/- SEM DI was 0.67 +/- 0.02. Left and right DIs were strongly correlated, but there were no significant relationships between DIs and gait variables. Most fore- and hind limb gait variables differed significantly, whereas paired fore- and hind limb gait variables did not. Asymmetry was most pronounced in the x- and y-planes.


CONCLUSIONS
GRFs were consistent with those of clinically normal mature dogs, supporting an absence of association between GRF and DI in young dogs. The GRFs and elucidation of the relationship between GRFs and DI may be useful for future studies in immature dogs.
Lopez
Mandi J
MJ
Laboratory for Equine and Comparative Orthopedic Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Quinn
Margaret M
MM
Markel
Mark D
MD
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000502:physiology; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male