Comparison of Kinematic Variables in Defining Lameness Caused by Naturally Occurring Rupture of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament in Dogs

Objective

To (1) discover kinematic variables that differ between dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) and control dogs and (2) to identify suitable outcome variables for longitudinal studies on the effects of surgical interventions for CCLR in dogs.

Study Design

In vivo case-control comparison.

Animals

Dogs with unilateral CCLR (n=16), and no other detectable neurologic or orthopedic disease and 10 dogs without CCLR, neurologic, or orthopedic disease.

Methods

Kinematic data was collected from dogs as they walked at constant speed on a treadmill, using an infrared camera system and adhesive reflective markers applied to the pelvic limbs. Data on 5 selected variables was extracted and comparisons made between paired pelvic limbs in both CCLR and control dogs and between control and CCLR dogs.

Results

Comparisons in CCLR dogs revealed significant differences between affected and unaffected limbs for many examined variables; the largest differences were in paw velocity and stifle angular velocity. There were highly significant differences between CCLR and control dogs when examining paired limb ratios for 4 of the variables, the largest differences were in stride length and paw velocity.

Conclusions

Kinematic analysis provides straightforward and objective methods for defining the lameness associated with CCLR in dogs. Paw velocity and stride length were most notably reliable and not susceptible to systematic alterations in stifle joint dynamics that might be associated with specific surgical procedures.

Clinical Relevance

This study identifies several variables that can provide the objective measurements essential to evaluate the efficacy of surgical interventions for CCLR in dogs.