NONINVASIVE KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE WALK IN HEALTHY LARGE-BREED DOGS

Objectives-To use computer-assisted kinematic analysis to describe the walk in healthy dogs and to adapt Fourier transformation for analysis of the data. Design-Evaluation of normal walk in dogs, using kinemati c and force plate analysis. Sample Population-15 healthy large-breed d ogs. Procedure-Morphometric data were collected to describe the sample population. Temporal and distance variables were measured to describe the walk. Flexion and extension movements were described for the scap ulohumeral, cubital, carpal, coxofemoral, femorotibial, and tarsal joi nts. Fourier transformation was adapted to facilitate analysis of the joint angle waveforms. Results-Unique and complex patterns of flexion and extension movements were observed for each joint studied. The walk had consistency of movement in the sample population in temporal and distance variables and joint movements. Variances attributable to intr a- and interdog differences were similar and 1 to 2 orders of magnitud e smaller than the mean Fourier coefficients from which they were calc ulated for all 6 joints. The number of essential Fourier coefficients required to represent the joint angle waveforms was 3 for the coxofemo ral joint, 5 each for the femorotibial, scapulohumeral, cubital, and c arpal joints, and 6 for the tarsal joint. Conclusions-Computer-assiste d kinematic gait analysis proved to be a reliable and consistent techn ique for assessment of movement at the walk in dogs, and Fourier trans formation was shown to be an effective tool for analysis of the kinema tic data. Clinical Relevance-The database derived from the normal samp le population in this study can be used as a model of musculoskeletal function at the walk for future comparisons with disease and treatment .