Dr.med.vet.

Herbert Kogler

Based on the measurements performed since 1962 in the subject of hoof and limb of equines, bovines and ovines, the Orthopaedic Veterinary Clinic of Vienna / Austria started in 1977 on locomotion analysis, using the quartz crystal force plate.

As an introduction the author gives a survey on scientific cinematography, on the different methods of locomotion analysis (including a comprehensive survey on human / sports medicine, on biomechanics, on cinematographic measurement methods themselves or combined, on electromyography, electrogoniometry, accelerometry, on force measurements, riding instructions, and generally on publications on Orthopedics.), and on the principles of walk. Equipment and installations are explained.

The paper continues in demonstrating the advances of the combined use of both methods in the locomotion analysis.

It is suggested to applicate this methodology in the clinical diagnosis of lameness and of disorders of locomotion (alteration on patterns of movement).

The result consists of an explication of the locomotion phases, by stick figures, angle diagrams, joint-to-joint diagrams, laps graphs of the joints, and force diagrams. Further on it is possible to verify the alterations in the sequence of the single step, and to demonstrate the connections between the different diagrams. The author worked out some relations between the data obtained from HS film analysis and the force plate graphs, especially concerning the moments of two legs in support, and the change from support to stem phase.

A limitation of the general validity of the results has to be seen in the small number of test horses, allowing only particular statements.

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