Summary
The redistribution of vertical ground reaction forces after surgically induced forelimb
lameness was evaluated in five Greyhounds at the walk. Vertical ground reaction forces
were measured by force plate analysis before, three days, and seven days after a craniolateral
approach to the shoulder was performed unilaterally in each dog.
At day # 3, peak vertical force was significantly decreased in the operated forelimbs
and in the ipsilateral hindlimbs. Peak vertical force was significantly increased
in the contralateral fore- and hindlimbs. The total peak vertical force applied to
both forelimbs did not change, nor did the total force applied to both hindlimbs.
At day # 7, peak vertical force in each of the four limbs had returned to preoperative
levels. Results of this study document the redistribution of ground reaction forces
(at the walk) between the four limbs in the dog after an acute, surgically induced
forelimb lameness.
The redistribution of ground reaction force was evaluated in five Greyhounds before
and during forelimb lameness. Lameness was induced by a craniolateral approach to
one shoulder in each dog. At day # 3 after surgery, peak vertical force was decreased
in the operated forelimbs and ipsilateral hindlimbs. Peak vertical force was increased
in the contralateral fore- and hindlimbs. The distribution of ground reaction force
in the four limbs returned to preoperative values seven days after surgery.
Keywords
Gait analysis - force plate - lameness