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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2016; 29(04): 314-319
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-15-11-0182
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Validity and repeatability of goniometry in normal horses

Henry S. Adair III
1   Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
,
Denis J. Marcellin-Little
2   Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
,
David Levine
3   Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 10 November 2015

Accepted: 16 March 2016

Publication Date:
17 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Purpose: To assess validity and inter- and intra-tester reliability of equine goniometry and to establish values for carpal, meta -carpophalangeal, tarsal, and metatarsophalangeal flexion and extension in horses.

Subjects: Seventeen healthy equine subjects of varied breeds were used.

Methods: Three investigators blindly and independently measured in triplicate the extension and flexion of carpal, metacarpo -phalangeal, tarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joints of 17 horses after sedation. Radiographs of these joints in flexion and extension were acquired while under sedation. Goniometric and radiographic measurements were compared statistically and were correlated. A Bland-Altman plot was constructed. Inter- and intra-tester repeatability of goniometry were evaluated by calculating intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Mean flexion and extension of carpal, metacarpo -phalangeal, tarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joints were calculated.

Results: Goniometric and radiographic measurements did not differ statistically and were significantly correlated (correlation coefficients ranged from 0.59 - 0.89). The mean difference between goniometric and radiographic measurements was 0.4°. Triplicate measurements collected by the three raters did not differ significantly within raters (ICC ranging from 0.950 - 0.995) and between raters (ICC ranging from 0.942 - 0.989).

Conclusion: Goniometry is a valid and repeatable tool for evaluation of the range of motion of carpal, metacarpophalangeal, tarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joints in standing, sedated healthy horses.

Keywords

Horse - joint - goniometry
 

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