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Effects of 6° elevation of the heels on 3D kinematics of the distal portion of the forelimb in the walking horse
Author(s) -
CHATEAU H.,
DEGUEURCE C.,
DENOIX J.M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.2746/0425164044848217
Subject(s) - kinematics , sagittal plane , forelimb , heel , interphalangeal joint , horse , medicine , anatomy , orthodontics , geology , physics , classical mechanics , paleontology
Summary Reasons for performing study : Understanding of the biomechanical effects of heel elevation remains incomplete because in vivo studies performed with skin markers do not measure the actual movements of the 3 digital joints. Objective : To quantify the effects of 6° heel wedge on the 3‐dimensional movements of the 4 distal segments of the forelimb in the walking horse. Methods : Four healthy horses were used. Kinematics of the distal segments was measured invasively with a system based on ultrasonic triangulation. Three‐dimensional rotations of the digital joints were calculated by use of a ‘joint coordinate system’ (JCS). Data obtained with heel wedges were compared to those obtained with standard shoes during the stance phase of the stride. Results : Heel wedges significantly increased maximal flexion of the proximal (PIPJ) and distal (DIPJ) interphalangeal joints and maximal extension (mean ± s.d. +0.8 ± 0.3°) of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ). Extension of the PIPJ and DIPJ was decreased at heel‐off. Few effects were observed in extrasagittal planes of movement. Conclusions : Heel wedges affect the sagittal plane kinematics of the 3 digital joints. Potential relevance : Controversial effects previously observed on the MPJ may be explained by the substantial involvement of the PIPJ, which was wrongly neglected in previous studies performed on the moving horse.