Sagittal distal limb kinematics inside the hoof capsule captured using high-speed fluoroscopy in walking and trotting horses

• Published in: The veterinary journal (1997) 2014-10, Vol.202 (1), p.94-98
• Main Authors: Roach, J.M., Pfau, T., Bryars, J., Unt, V., Channon, S.B., Weller, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Fluoroscopy; Fluoroscopy - methods; Fluoroscopy - veterinary; Foot; Gait - physiology; Hoof and Claw - physiology; Horse; Horses - physiology; Imaging; Kinematics
• ISSN: 1090-0233; 1532-2971
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.06.014

Kinematic evaluation of the distal limb of the horse using standard methods is challenging, mainly due to the hoof capsule restricting visualisation, but the recent development of a high-speed fluoroscopy (HSF) system has allowed in vivo cineradiographic assessment of moving skeletal structures at high speeds. The application of this non-invasive method to the equine distal limb is used to describe ‘internal’ distal limb kinematics including intra-horse and inter-horse variability, and variability between walk and trot. Distal limb kinematic data were collected at walk and trot from six non-lame horses using HSF set over a force plate. The dorsal proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) angle and the dorsal distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) angle were measured at toe-on and at 25%, 50% and 75% of stance. The PIPJ and DIPJ showed overall extension through stance. The mean ± SD range of motion (ROM) during stance of the PIPJ was 9.7 ± 2.7° (walk) and 8.7 ± 3.0° (trot) and of the DIPJ was 28.6 ± 4.6° (walk) and 26.5 ± 6.3° (trot) showing significant differences between gaits and changes through stance (P