Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2007; 20(01): 01-07
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1616579
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

3D kinematics of the interphalangeal joints in the forelimb of walking and trotting horses

H. M. Clayton
1   Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
,
D. H. Sha
1   Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
,
J. A. Stick
1   Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
,
P. Robinson
1   Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 03 March 2006

Accepted 01 November 2006

Publication Date:
21 December 2017 (online)

Summary

The objective was to measure 3D rotations of the distal (DIP) and proximal (PIP) interphalangeal joints at walk and trot. 3D trajectories of markers fixed to the proximal phalanx, middle phalanx and the hoof wall of the right forelimb of four sound horses were recorded at 120 Hz. Joint kinematics were calculated in terms of anatomically-based joint coordinate systems between the bone segments. Ranges of motion were similar at walk and trot. Values for the DIP joint were: flexion/extension: 46 ± 3° at walk, 47 ± 4° at trot; internal/ external rotation: 5 ± 1° at walk, 6 ± 3° at trot; and adduction/abduction: 5 ± 2° at walk, 5 ± 3° at trot. Within each gait, kinematic profiles at the DIP joint were similar between horses with the exception of adduction/abduction during breakover, which may vary depending on the direction of hoof rotation over the toe. Knowledge of the types and amounts of motion at the DIP joint will be useful in understanding the aetiology and treatment of injuries to the soft tissues, which are being recognized more frequently through the use of sensitive imaging techniques. Ranges of motion for the PIP joint were: flexion/extension: 13 ± 4° at walk, 14 ± 4° at trot; adduction/abduction: 3 ± 1° at walk, 3 ± 1° at trot; and internal/external rotation: 3 ± 1° at walk, 4 ± 1° at trot. The PIP joint made a significant contribution to flexion/extension of the digit. During surgical arthrodesis, the angle of fusion may be important since loss of PIP joint extension in late stance is likely to be accommodated by increased extension of the DIP joint.

 
  • References

  • 1 Schryver HF, Bartel DL, Langrana N. et al. Locomotion in the horse: kinematics and external and internal forces in the normal equine digit in walk and trot. Am JVet Res 1978; 39: 1728-1733.
  • 2 Riemersma DJ, Schamhardt HC, Hartman W. et al. Kinetics and kinematics of the equine hind limb: In vivo tendon loads and force plate measurements in ponies. Am J Vet Res 1988; 49: 1344-1352.
  • 3 Back W, Schamhardt HC, Savelberg HHCM. et al. How the horse moves: significance of graphical representations of equine forelimb kinematics. Equine VetJ 1995; 27: 31-38.
  • 4 Clayton HM, Sha DH, Stick JA. et al. Three-dimensional carpal kinematics of trotting horses. Equine Vet J, 2004; 36: 665-670.
  • 5 Chateau H, Degueurce C, Denoix J-M. Evaluation of three-dimensional kinematics of the distal portion of the forelimb in horses walking in a straight line. Am J Vet Res 2004; 65: 447-455.
  • 6 Chateau H, Deguerce C, Denoix J-M. Three-dimensional kinematics of the distal forelimb in horses trotting on a treadmill and effects o elevation of heel and toe. Equine Vet J 2006; 38: 164-169.
  • 7 Lanovaz JL, Clayton HM, Colborne GR. et al. Forelimb kinematics and net joint moments during the swing phase of the trot. Equine Vet J 1999; Supplement 30 235-239.
  • 8 Clayton HM, Willemen MA, Schamhardt HC. et al. Kinematics and ground reaction forces in horses with superficial digital flexor tendinitis. Am JVet Res 2000; 61: 191-196.
  • 9 Hodson E, Clayton HM, Lanovaz JL. The forelimb ofwalking horses: 1. Kinematics and ground reaction forces. Equine Vet J 2000; 32: 287-294.
  • 10 Reinschmidt C, van den Bogert AJ, Murphy N. et al. Tibiocalcaneal motion during running measured with external and bone markers. Clin Biomech 1997; 12: 8-16.
  • 11 van Weeren PR, van den Bogert AJ, Barneveld A. Correction models for skin displacement in equine kinematic gait analysis. J Equine Vet Sci 1992; 12: 178-192.
  • 12 Lanovaz JL, Khumsap S, Clayton HM. Quantification of three-dimensional skin displacement artefacts on the equine tibia and third metatarsus. Equine Compar Exerc Physiol 2004; 1: 141-150.
  • 13 Sha DH, Mullineaux DR, Clayton HM. A three- dimensional analysis of patterns of skin displacement over the equine radius. Equine Vet J 2004; 36: 671-676.
  • 14 Lafortune MA, Cavanagh PR, Sommer HJ. et al. Three-dimentional kinematics of the human knee during walking. J Biomech 1992; 25: 347-357.
  • 15 Lanovaz JL, Khumsap S, Clayton HM. et al. Three-dimensional kinematics of the tarsal joint at the trot. Equine Vet J 2002; Suppl. 34 S308-313.
  • 16 Chateau H, Degueurce C, Denoix J-M. Effects of 6° elevation of the heels on 3D kinematics of the distal portion of the forelimb in the walking horse. Equine Vet J 2004; 36: 649-654.
  • 17 Chateau H, Deguerce C, Jerbi H. et al. Three-dimensional kinematics of the equine interphalangeal joint: articular impact of asymmetric bearing. Vet Res 2002; 33: 371-382.
  • 18 Dyson S, Murray R, Schramme M. et al. Lameness in 46 horses associated with deep digital flexor tendonitis confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging. Equine Vet J 2003; 35: 681-690.
  • 19 Clayton HM, Lanovaz JL, Schamhardt HC. et al. Net joint moments and powers in the equine forelimb in the stance phase of the trot. Equine Vet J 1998; 30: 384-389.
  • 20 Colborne GR, Lanovaz JL, Sprigings EJ. et al. Forelimb joint moments and power during the walking stance phase of horse. Am JVet Res 1998; 59: 609-614.
  • 21 Clayton HM, Schamhardt HC, Lanovaz JL. et al. Net joint moments and joint powers in horses with superficial digital flexor tendinitis. Am J Vet Res 2000; 61: 197-201.
  • 22 Cappozzo A, Croce UD, Leardini A. et al. Human movement analysis using sterophotogrammetry, Part 1: theoretical background. Gait and Posture 2005; 21: 186-196.
  • 23 Grood Grood, Suntay WJ. Ajoint coordinate system for the clinical description of three-dimensional motions: applications to the knee. J Biomech Eng 1983; 105: 136-144.
  • 24 Soderkvist Soderkvist, Wedin PA. Determining the movements of the skeleton using well-configured markers. J Biomech 1993; 26: 1473-1477.
  • 25 Spoor Spoor, Veldpaus FE. Rigid body motion calculated from spatial co-ordinates of markers. J Biomech 1980; 13: 391-393.
  • 26 Woltring HJ. 3-D attitude representation ofhuman joints: a standardization proposal. J Biomech 1994; 27: 1399-1414.
  • 27 Drevemo S, Johnston C, Roepstorff L. et al. Nerve block and intra-articular anesthesia of the forelimb in the sound horse. Equine vet J 1999; Suppl. 30 S266-269.
  • 28 Johnston C, Gottlieb-Vedi M, Drevemo S. et al. The kinematics of loading and fatigue in the Stan- dardbred trotter. Equine Vet J 1999; Suppl. 30 S249-53.
  • 29 Roepstorff L, Johnston C, Drevemo S. The effect of shoeing on kinetics and kinematics during the stance phase. Equine Vet J 1999; Suppl. 30 S279-285.
  • 30 Clayton HM, Singleton WH, Lanovaz JL. et al. Sagittal plane kinematics and kinetics of the pastern joint during the stance phase of the trot. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2002; 15: 15-17.
  • 31 Degueurce C, Chateau H, Jerbi H. et al. Three-dimensional kinematics of the proximal interphal- angeal joint: effects of raising the heels or the toe. Equine Vet J 2001; Suppl. 33 79-83.
  • 32 Clayton HM, Hodson EF, Lanovaz JL. The forelimb in walking horses: 2. Net joint moments and joint powers. Equine Vet J 2000; 32: 295-299.
  • 33 Williams Williams, Deacon M. Hoof capsule deviations. In: No foot, no horse. Kenilworth Press: Addington, UK; 1991: 71.
  • 34 Caudron I, Grulke S, Farnir F. et al. In-shoe force sensor to assess hoof balance determined by radiographic method in ponies trotting on a treadmill. Vet Quart 1998; 20: 131-135.
  • 35 Singleton WH, Clayton HM, Lanovaz JL. et al. Effects of shoeing on forelimb swing phase kinetics of trotting horses. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2003; 16: 16-20.
  • 36 Barnes Barnes, Pinder DN. In vivo tendon tension and bone strain measurement and correlation. J Biomech 1974; 7: 35-42.
  • 37 Jansen MO, van Buiten A, van den Bogert AJ. et al. Strain of the musculus interosseus medius and its rami extensorii in the horse, deduced from in vivo kinematics. Acta Anat 1993; 147: 118-124.
  • 38 Wilson AM, Seelig TJ, Shield RA. et al. The effect of hoof imbalance on point of force application in the horse. Equine Vet J 1998; 30: 540-545.
  • 39 Van Heel MCV, Barneveld A, van Weeren PR. et al. Dynamic pressure measurements for the detailed study of hoof balance: the effect of trimming. Equine Vet J 2004; 36: 778-782.
  • 40 Keegan KG, Satterley JM, Skubik M. et al. Use of gyroscopic sensors for objective evaluation of trimming and shoeing to alter time between heel and toe lift-off at end of the stance phase in horses walking and trotting on a treadmill. Am J Vet Res 2005; 66: 2046-2054.
  • 41 Ruggles AJ. The proximal and middle phalanges and proximal interphalangealjoint. In: Diagnosis and management of lameness in the horse. Ross MW, Dyson SJ. (eds). Philadelphia: WB. Saunders; 2003: 342-348.
  • 42 Caron JP, Fretz PB, Bailey JV. et al. Proximal interphalangeal arthrodesis in the horse: a retrospective study and modified screw technique. Vet Surg. 1990 19. 196.
  • 43 Martin GS, McIlwraith CW, Turner AS. et al. Long-term results and complications of proximal interphalangeal arthrodesis in horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1984; 184: 1136-1140.
  • 44 McGuigan McGuigan, Wilson AM. The effect of gait and digital flexor muscle activation on limb compliance in the forelimb of the horse Equus cab- allus. J Exp Biol 2003; 206: 1325-1336.