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Instrumentation and techniques in locomotion and lameness
1Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Equine Practice
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Clinical gait analysis relies on proper equipment and skilled staff. Future automation and artificial neural networks will make equine gait analysis more accessible for diagnosing lameness.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Equine Science
Background:
- Successful clinical gait analysis requires careful equipment selection, installation, calibration, and expert personnel.
- Kinematic analysis, often using 2-D videographic or optoelectronic systems, is standard for equine evaluations.
- Force plates and accelerometers measure ground reaction forces and hoof-on-surface interactions, respectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the essential components and methods for establishing a functional clinical gait laboratory.
- To discuss the current and potential applications of advanced technology in equine gait analysis.
- To highlight the limitations and future directions for clinical gait assessment.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing videographic or optoelectronic systems for kinematic data acquisition.
- Employing force plates for 3-D ground reaction force measurement.
- Using strain gauges and accelerometers for detailed biomechanical and surface interaction analysis.
Main Results:
- 2-D kinematic data is sufficient for most equine gait evaluations.
- Force plates offer precise 3-D ground reaction force data.
- Current clinical application is hindered by data processing time and expertise requirements.
Conclusions:
- Automation of data manipulation is crucial for increasing the clinical practicality of gait analysis.
- Artificial neural networks show promise for automated lameness diagnosis using kinematic data.
- Advancements in technology will enhance the diagnostic capabilities of equine gait laboratories.