Kansas City Canine Orthopedics Canine Objective Gait Analysis Center
Objective gait analysis for dogs involves using technology and data-driven methods to assess a dog’s movement patterns. Objective data is crucial in human and veterinary medicine, because it provides measurable and quantifiable information that enhances decision-making, diagnosis, and treatment. Additionally, objective data such as gait analysis are vital for high quality clinical trials like those performed at Kansas City Canine Orthopedics.
How does Objective Gait Analysis for Dogs Work?
There are different systems that can enable objective gait analysis including force plates and pressure sensitive walkways. At Kansas City Canine Orthopedics we have two different pressure sensitive walkway systems, a Gait4Dogs and TekScan systems. We have used the Gait4Dogs walkway in numerous research studies and publications over the last 15 years and so tend to use this most commonly. The process starts by walking or trotting a dog along the pressure sensitive walkway:
There are a couple important features that must occur in order for the trial to be valid. The dog needs to be focused straight ahead, not turning their head, not pulling on the leash, and maintaining a consistent pace with no running or bounding. Sounds easy, right? Not necessarily, and not if the gait analysis center is a multi-purpose area that has not been created specifically for such purpose. Veterinary hospitals are sometimes noisy and dogs are prone to distraction. Since we have been performing objective gait analysis and clinical trials for 15 years, and because we knew we were committed to clinical trials as part of our mission statement, we designed our dedicated gait analysis before our specialty surgical center was even built. We have elevated viewing windows overlooking the gait analysis center so that owners can watch their dogs be assessed without distracting them. Further, our center includes a mounted, duplicate screen so that owners can visualize the data capture and analysis as it happens in real time. Lastly, we strategically placed the gait analysis center removed from any other dogs or treatment area so that our patients can be laser focused while performing their walks and trots.
When the patient is trotted down the pressure sensitive walkway, all the footfalls are recorded in real time, and shown within the software (and on the large secondary screen for owner viewing) for review. The forces applied are measured by sensors within the walkway:
At this point the footfalls are visually assessed and then processed by the software for analysis, bringing one to the following screen and details. The following image shows how each footfall is record with numerous values recorded for each including, but not limited to, the stride length, the stride time, the stance time (ie duration of time the paw is in contact with the ground), velocity, and relative weight bearing of each of the dog’s limbs.
From these data, we extract those variables of greatest interest, usually the relative weight bearing of the affected limb in reference to the other limbs. As can be seen in the right of the image below, these data are then used to objectively quantify the function and weight bearing of each of the dog’s four limbs.
Why is objective gait analysis crucial to an advanced veterinary orthopedic and sports medicine practice?
Objective gait analysis is an extremely valuable tool for clinical practice and for research for one simple, reason: it allows objective measurement of how a dog is moving rather than relying entirely on owner and veterinarian subjective assessment of how well a dog is doing. In turn, having objective measurement of patient movement allows all of the following:
- Concrete, numeric assessment of which limb(s) are the source of pain and lameness for a dog
- Objective assessment of response to diagnostic treatments to confirm which joint is the source of pain for that limb. As an example, if the Gait4Dogs pressure sensitive walkway confirms that a dog is lame on its left forelimb, but X-rays (radiographs) are inconclusive as to whether the elbow or the shoulder is the source of the pain, a diagnostic joint injection can be performed. In this scenario, we inject a small amount of local anesthetic, similar to what is received when you have dental work done, into the elbow. Approximately 15 minutes later we would repeat the dog’s objective gait analysis. If we find a 15-20% or greater improvement in weight bearing on the dog’s left forelimb using the pressure sensitive walkway, we can confidently conclude the pain and problem are within the elbow.
- Objective gait assessment allows assessment of response to treatments, either surgical or non-surgical treatments, to confirm that improvement is being made. Conversely, if objective gait analysis shows that improvement has not been made, this can help guide further decision making regarding performing alternative treatments.
- Lastly, and not least, objective gait analysis is the gold standard outcome measure used in any quality clinical trial. This is because objective data are needed to truly vet cutting edge treatments and characterize their safety and efficacy. In addition, clinical trials often enable owners to obtained advanced care that would otherwise be unavailable, and sometimes with financial incentives provided by the study sponsor. Kansas City Canine Orthopedics is proud to be a leader in the veterinary surgery field by staying at the forefront of canine veterinary orthopedic cutting-edge research and advocacy for the best medical treatments and veterinary surgery and for our patients and canines around the world.
Highlights of our Gait4Dogs and TekScan Objective Gait Analysis Center:
- Accuracy and Reliability
Objective data minimizes biases and subjectivity, leading to more accurate assessments and outcomes. High-speed cameras and software analyze how a dog moves, capturing data on stride length, frequency, and symmetry. Pressure mapping technology then assesses weight distribution and pressure points during movement.
- Evidence-Based Decisions
It allows for decisions to be made based on empirical evidence rather than assumptions or anecdotal experiences, leading to better clinical outcomes. Specialized software in combination with the veterinary surgeon, analyzes the collected data to produce visual representations and reports.
- Early Assessment and Monitoring Progress
Objective data is a superior tool to help with patients who demonstrate slight intermittent lameness not easily reproduceable. In addition, gait analysis can help track a dog’s progress over time, allowing for adjustments to treatment plans as necessary.
- Enhanced Communication
Clear, measurable data can improve communication among veterinary surgeons and with pet owners, fostering better understanding and collaboration. Incorporating objective data into veterinary surgery evaluation and clinical trial treatments enhances the overall quality of care for dogs, leading to better health outcomes and more informed veterinary surgery decisions.