Kinematic study of back movement in clinically sound malinois dogs with consideration of the effect of radiographic changes in the lumbosacral junction.
OBJECTIVE
To determine thoracolumbar spinal movement in dogs and the influence of subclinical radiographic changes involving the lumbosacral junction.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
Clinically sound Malinois dogs (n=22).


METHODS
Kinematic analysis of markers on the spinal processes of C7, T6, T13, L3, L7, and S3 was performed while dogs were walking on a treadmill. Range of motion (ROM) in the transverse and vertical direction and the time of occurrence (TOO) of the maximal marker position were calculated. ROM and TOO of angulations formed by the corresponding markers were calculated. Initial kinematic analysis was performed without knowledge of the radiographic changes, and then data were reanalyzed to determine whether vertebral changes influenced back motion. Based on the results of radiographic analysis of the lumbosacral junction, dogs were divided into 3 groups: 1=no radiographic changes; 2=shortened L7 vertebra; and 3=transitional vertebrae, spondylosis, subluxations, and spondylarthrosis of the lumbosacral junction. ROM and TOO were compared using ANOVA for repeated measures and a Bonferroni's post hoc test; P<.05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
The highest transverse ROM was achieved by markers T6, T13, and L3, and in the vertical direction by S3; however, there were no significant differences in ROM in horizontal angulations. In the sagittal plane, T13-L3-L7 had a lower angulation than L3-L7-S3. In Group 3, transverse ROM for C7 was significantly higher than in Group 1; the horizontal angular maximum of T13-L3-L7 occurred significantly earlier.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant kinematic changes were detected between clinically sound dogs with radiographic lumbosacral changes and dogs with no radiographic abnormalities.


CONCLUSIONS
Kinematic data from clinically sound dogs can be used for comparison with data from dogs with gait disturbances associated with orthopedic or neurologic disease or changes associated with therapy.
Gradner
Gabriele
G
Movement Science Group and the Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria. gabriele.gradner@vu-wien.ac.at
Bockstahler
Barbara
B
Peham
Christian
C
Henninger
Wolfgang
W
Podbregar
Iztok
I
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*