Use of bathroom scales in measuring asymmetry of hindlimb static weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis

Summary

Objective: The study assessed the use and reliability of bathroom scales as an objective measurement tool, and setting a normal variance of static weight bearing between hindlimbs.

Methods: Two groups of dogs were tested: a healthy control group (n = 21) and a group (n = 43) of dogs with confirmed osteoarthritis in at least one stifle joint, with or without hip joint osteoarthritis. Static weight bearing was evaluated manually and measured with two bathroom scales. An orthopaedic examination was done and dynamic weight bearing was measured using a force platform. Radiographs were taken to confirm the presence of osteoarthritis, and dogs were divided into groups of severe and non-severe osteoarthritic changes. Reliability by repeatability was tested using analysis of variance, and the congruity between static weight bearing and other evaluation methods with Kappa statistics and proportion of agreement.

Results: The difference between the hindlimbs proportional to the body weight in control dogs was 3.3% (± 2.7%). The repeatability of measuring static weight bearing in the hindlimbs of osteoarthritic dogs with bathroom scales was 81% with osteoarthritic limbs, and 70% for unaffected limbs. The sensitivity of static weight bearing measurements using bathroom scales was 39% and specificity 85%.

Clinical significance: Bathroom scales are a reliable, simple, and cost-effective objective method for measuring static weight bearing and can be used as an outcome measure when rehabilitating dogs with osteoarthritic changes in the hindlimbs.

Keywords

Weight bearing - bathroom scale - osteoarthritis - physiotherapy - outcome measure

• References

• 1 Hesbach AL. Techniques for objective outcome assessment. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract 2007; 22: 146-154.
• 2 Cook JL. Outcome-based patient care in veterinary surgery: what is an outcome measure?. Vet Surg 2007; 36: 187-189.
• 3 Brown DC. Outcomes based medicine in veterinary surgery: getting hard measures of subjective outcomes. Vet Surg 2007; 36: 289-292.
• 4 Cohen J. Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaub Assoc; 1988
• 5 Streiner DL, Norman GR. Health Measurement Scales. A Practical Guide to their Development and Use. New York: Oxford University Press; 1995
• 6 Millis DL. Assessing and measuring outcomes. In: Millis DL, Levine D, Taylor RA. editors. Canine Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy. USA: Saunders; 2004. pg. 211-227
• 7 Whittick WG, Simpson G. Examination of the orthopedic patient. In: Wittick WG. editor. Canine Orthopedics. Philadelphia, London: Lea&Febiger; 1990. pg. 61-95
• 8 Goff L, Stubbs N. Applied animal biomechanics. In: McGowan CM, Goff L, Stubbs N. editors. Animal Physiotherapy: Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Animals. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing; 2007. pg. 32-55
• 9 Evans R. Accuracy and optimization of force platform gait analysis in Labradors with cranial cruciate disease evaluated at a walking gait. Vet Surg 2005; 34: 445-449.
• 10 Lascelles BD, Roe SC, Smith E. et al. Evaluation of a pressure walkway system for measurement of vertical limb forces in clinically normal dogs. Am J Vet Res 2006; 67: 277-282.
• 11 Chapina N, De Passille AM, Rushen J. et al. Automated methods for detecting lameness and measuring analgesia in dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2010; 93: 2007-2013.
• 12 Schäfer D, Rosso R, Fricker R. et al. Functional outcome of transplanted knee joints in dogs. Arch Orthop Truma Surg 2000; 120: 426-431.
• 13 Hurkmans HLP. Techniques for measuring weight bearing during standing and walking. Clin Biomech 2003; 18: 576-589.
• 14 Bohannon RW. Perception of unilateral lower extremity weight bearing during bilateral upright stance. Percept Mot Skills 1989; 69: 875-880.
• 15 Bohannon RW, Waldron RM. Weightbearing during comfortable stance in patients with stroke: accuracy and reliability of measurements. Aust J Physiother 1991; 37: 19-22.
• 16 Aro HT. Healing patterns of transverse and oblique osteotomies in the canine tibia under external fixation. J Orthop Trauma 1991; 5: 351-364.
• 17 Meadows TH, Bronk JT, Chao EYS. et al. Effect of weight-bearing on healing of cortical defects in the canine tibia. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1990; 72: 1074-1080.
• 18 Comerford EJ, Smith K, Hayashi K. Update on the aetiopathogenesis of canine cranial cruciate ligament disease. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2011; 24: 91-98.
• 19 Vasseur PB, Berry CR. Progression of stifle osteoarthrosis following reconstruction of the cranial cruciate ligament in 21 dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1992; 28: 129-136.
• 20 Lineberger JA, Allen DA, Wilson ER. et al. Comparison of radiographic arthritic changes associated with two variations of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. A retrospective study. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2005; 18: 13-17.
• 21 Mölsä SH, Hielm-Björkman AK, Laitinen-Vapaavuori OM. Force platform analysis in clinically healthy Rottweilers: comparison with Labrador Retrievers. Vet Surg 2010; 39: 701-707.
• 22 Mostafa AA, Griffon DJ, Thomas MW. Morphometric characteristics of the pelvic limbs of Labrador Retrievers with and without cranial cruciate ligament deficiency. Am J Vet Res 2009; 70: 498-507.
• 23 de Rooster H, van Bree H. Use of compression stress radiography for the detection of partial tears of the canine cruciate ligament. J Small Anim Pract 1999; 40: 573-576.
• 24 Brünnberg L, Rieger I, Hesse EM. Sieben jahre erfahrung mit einer modifizierten ‘over-the-top’kreuzbandplastik beim hund. Kleintierpraxis 1992; 37: 735-746.
• 25 Viera A, Garrett J. Understanding interobserver agreement: The Kappa statistic. Fam Med 2005; 37: 360-363.
• 26 Peham C, Licka T, Girtler D. et al. The influence of lameness on equine stride length consistency. Vet J 2001; 162: 153-157.
• 27 Colborne GR, Good L, Cozens LE. et al. Symmetry of hind limb mechanics in orthopedically normal trotting Labrador Retrievers. Am J Vet Res 2011; 72: 336-344.