Download PDF
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)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

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
 

  • References

  • 1 Hamilton GF, Lachenbruch PA. Reliability of goniometers in assessing finger joint angle. Phys Ther 1969; 49: 465-469.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Boone DC, Azen SP, Lin CM. et al. Reliability of goniometric measurements. Phys Ther 1978; 58: 1355-1390.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Petherick M, Rheault W, Kimble S. et al. Concurrent validity and intertester reliability of universal and fluid-based goniometers for active elbow range of motion. Phys Ther 1988; 68: 966-969.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Enwemeka CS. Radiographic verification of knee goniometry. Scand J Rehabil Med 1986; 18: 47-49.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Barker KL, Lamb SE, Burns M. et al. Repeatability of goniometer measurements of the knee in patients wearing an Ilizarov external fixator: a clinic-based study. Clin Rehabil 1999; 13: 156-163.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 MacDermid JC, Chesworth BM, Patterson S. et al. Intratester and intertester reliability of goniometric measurement of passive lateral shoulder rotation. J Hand Ther 1999; 12: 187-192.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Jaegger G, Marcellin-Little DJ, Levine D. Reliability of goniometry in Labrador Retrievers. Am J Vet Res 2002; 63: 979-986.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Thomas TM, Marcellin-Little DJ, Roe SC. et al. Comparison of measurements obtained by use of an electrogoniometer and a universal plastic goniometer for the assessment of joint motion in dogs. Am J Vet Res 2006; 67: 1974-1979.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Marcellin-Little DJ, Ferretti A, Roe SC. et al. Hinged Ilizarov external fixation for correction of antebrachial deformities. Vet Surg 1998; 27: 231-245.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Huibregtse BA, Johnson AL, Muhlbauer MC. et al. The effect of treatment of fragmented coronoid process on the development of osteoarthritis of the elbow. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1994; 30: 190-195.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Roy RG, Wallace LJ, Johnston GR. A retrospective long-term evaluation of ununited anconeal process excision on the canine elbow. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1994; 7: 94-97.
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Bouck GR, Miller CW, Taves CL. A comparison of surgical and medical treatment of fragmented coronoid process and osteochondritis dissecans of the canine elbow. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1995; 8: 177-183.
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Sjöström L, Kasström J, Källberg M. Ununited anconeal process in the dog. Pathogenesis and treatment by osteotomy of the ulna. Vet Comp Ortho Traumatol 1995; 8: 170-176.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Cook JL, Tomlinson JL, Reed AL. Fluoroscopically guided closed reduction and internal fixation of fractures of the lateral portion of the humeral condyle: prospective clinical study of the technique and results in ten dogs. Vet Surg 1999; 28: 315-321.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Cook JL, Renfro DC, Tomlinson JL. et al. Measurement of angles of abduction for diagnosis of shoulder instability in dogs using goniometry and digital image analysis. Vet Surg 2005; 34: 463-468.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Cook JL, Tomlinson JL, Fox DB. et al. Treatment of dogs diagnosed with medial shoulder instability using radiofrequency-induced thermal capsulorrhaphy. Vet Surg 2005; 34: 469-475.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Johnson JM, Johnson AL, Pijanowski GJ. et al. Rehabilitation of dogs with surgically treated cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifles by use of electrical stimulation of muscles. Am J Vet Res 1997; 58: 1473-1478.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Jandi AS, Schulman AJ. Incidence of motion loss of the stifle joint in dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture surgically treated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy: longitudinal clinical study of 412 cases. Vet Surg 2007; 36: 114-121.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Prostredny JM, Toombs JP, VanSickle DC. Effect of two muscle sling techniques on early morbidity after femoral head and neck excision in dogs. Vet Surg 1991; 20: 298-305.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 de Haan JJ, Goring RL, Beale BS. Evaluation of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan for the treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs. Vet Surg 1994; 23: 177-181.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Marcellin-Little DJ, DeYoung BA, Doyens DH. et al. Canine uncemented porous-coated anatomic total hip arthroplasty: results of a long-term prospective evaluation of 50 consecutive cases. Vet Surg 1999; 28: 10-20.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Greene LM, Marcellin-Little DJ, Lascelles BD. Associations among exercise duration, lameness severity, and hip joint range of motion in Labrador Retrievers with hip dysplasia. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013; 242: 1528-1533.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Jaeger GH, Marcellin-Little DJ, Depuy V. et al. Validity of goniometric joint measurements in cats. Am J Vet Res 2007; 68: 822-826.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Lascelles BD, Dong YH, Marcellin-Little DJ. et al. Relationship of orthopedic examination, goniometric measurements, and radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease in cats. BMC Vet Res 2012; 8: 10
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Sengoz Sirin O, Timucin Celik M, Ozmen A. et al. Measurements of normal joint angles by goniometry in calves. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2014; 27: 120-123.
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Strand E, Martin GS, Crawford MP. et al. Intra-articular pressure, elastance and range of motion in healthy and injured racehorse metacarpophalangeal joints. Equine Vet J 1998; 30: 520-527.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Strand E, Martin GS, Crawford MP. et al. Intra-articular pressure, elastance, and range of motion in flexion of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint. Am J Vet Res 1995; 56: 1362-1371.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 28 Liljebrink Y, Bergh A. Goniometry: is it a reliable tool to monitor passive joint range of motion in horses?. Equine Vet J Suppl 2010; 42: 676-682.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 29 Baxter GM. Assessment of the Lame Horse. In Baxter GM. editor Manual of Equine Lameness. Ames, IA: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.; 2011: 108-114.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 30 Gnagey L, Clayton HM, Lanovaz JL. Effect of standing tarsal angle on joint kinematics and kinetics. Equine Vet J 2006; 38: 628-633.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 31 Holmstrom M, Magnusson LE, Philipsson J. Variation in conformation of Swedish warmblood horses and conformational characteristics of elite sport horses. Equine Vet J 1990; 22: 186-193.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 32 Weller R, Pfau T, Babbage D. et al. Reliability of conformational measurements in the horse using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Equine Vet J 2006; 38: 610-615.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 33 Anderson TM, McIlwraith CW. Longitudinal development of equine conformation from weanling to age 3 years in the Thoroughbred. Equine Vet J 2004; 36: 563-570.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 34 Weller R, Pfau T, May SA. et al. Variation in conformation in a cohort of National Hunt racehorses. Equine Vet J 2006; 38: 616-621.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar