Measuring Paw Positioning in Dogs After Spinal Cord Injury
Author Information
Author(s): Hamilton Lindsay, Franklin Robin JM, Jeffery Nicholas D
Primary Institution: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Hypothesis
Placement of the pelvic limbs in the lateral plane would be abnormally variable in all dogs with complete SCI but could be normal in those with incomplete SCI, depending on the severity of the lesion.
Conclusion
The study shows that spinal cord injury in dogs leads to increased variability in lateral paw placement, which may recover independently of limb coordination in the sagittal plane.
Supporting Evidence
- Normal dogs showed limited variability in lateral foot placement during locomotion.
- Dogs with spinal cord injuries exhibited significantly increased inconsistency in pelvic limb placement.
- The variability in pelvic limb placement was significantly different between normal and injured dogs.
Takeaway
When dogs hurt their backs, they sometimes have trouble placing their feet correctly. This study found that this problem can be measured and might get better even if their leg movements don't.
Methodology
The study analyzed the variability of pelvic limb placement in dogs with spinal cord injuries using motion capture technology to measure foot placement during locomotion.
Limitations
The study's methods may underestimate the lack of coordination in the lateral plane due to the use of abdominal support during data collection.
Participant Demographics
The study included 9 normal dogs and 20 dogs with spinal cord injuries, categorized into incomplete and complete injuries.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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