Canine gait analysis: case studies from practice
Case studies on canine gait analysis show how objective movement data can complement clinical examination and physiotherapy treatment.
Application • Case studies
Case studies from practice
How LupoGait reveals the cause of unclear lameness, guides treatment and documents success.
Right forelimb lameness: not the hip, but the elbow
30 min after the nerve block: free of lameness
≈ 1.5 mm fragment confirmed on CT
HD was not clinically relevant to the lameness
Background.
Diagnosed with hip dysplasia. The increasing right forelimb lameness was initially attributed to the hips, although the owner had pointed to the forelimb early on.
LupoGait findings.
Markedly restricted range of motion and asymmetrical parameters in the right forelimb, especially after the flexion test.
Procedure.
Perineural anaesthesia, after which ROM, symmetry and vertical force distribution normalised in the kinematic analysis. After 30 minutes, the lameness had also resolved clinically.
Result.
CT confirmed a fragmented medial coronoid process (FCP) in the right elbow. Arthroscopy was recommended, and the prognosis is cautiously positive.
Follow-up.
Treatment has since been completed, and the patient benefited from the comprehensive diagnostic work-up.
Left forelimb lameness: source of pain localised in the elbow
Markedly reduced weight-bearing
< 30% left, approx. 35% right
objectively measurable improvement after the nerve block
Background.
Recurring left forelimb lameness for about two months, worse after exercise. Atrophy of the left supraspinatus muscle, restricted flexion and rotation of the elbow.
LupoGait findings.
Shortened stance phase of the left humerus and radius, restricted range of motion in the elbow and shoulder, markedly reduced peak vertical force on the left.
Procedure.
Targeted perineural anaesthesia, followed by a repeat measurement. The left stance phases almost matched the right side, and ROM improved markedly, especially in the radius.
Result.
Suspected medial elbow dysplasia with possible FCP. CT recommended, rehabilitation programme started, further follow-up measurements with LupoGait planned.
Follow-up.
Treatment has since been completed, and the patient benefited from the comprehensive diagnostic work-up.
History and clinical findings
Pablo came from an animal shelter. Hip dysplasia was diagnosed at the initial work-up. The orthopaedic examination revealed a moderate swing-phase lameness of the right forelimb with reduced stride length, restricted flexion of the right elbow, atrophy of the right supraspinatus muscle and a positive flexion test.
Gait analysis before and after the nerve block
Measurements were taken with LupoGait 12 on a straight line and after the flexion test. After perineural anaesthesia, the comparison (light blue before, dark blue after) showed a marked improvement in ROM, symmetry and vertical force distribution.
CT confirmation
The whole-body CT showed a fragmented medial coronoid process in the right elbow with a separate fragment of approximately 1.5 mm. The hip joints showed no clear signs of dysplasia or osteoarthritis. The previously assumed hip dysplasia was not relevant to the lameness.
Clinical examination
Even when sitting, Enzo held his left forelimb flexed and drawn back. In motion, he showed a swing-phase lameness of the left forelimb with a shortened swing phase and slight head nodding, a typical sign of painful forelimb lameness.
Imaging
The radiograph of the left elbow showed a rounded contour of the medial coronoid process and a slight irregularity of the joint space, consistent with early elbow dysplasia.
Gait analysis before and after the nerve block
Peak vertical force (PVF) was below 30% on the left and around 35% on the right. After perineural anaesthesia of the radial, ulnar and medial cutaneous antebrachial nerves, Enzo appeared relaxed and moved evenly, and the head nodding had disappeared. Peak force on the left remained slightly below 30%, which points to additional functional or chronic changes.
Interpretation and clinical assessment
The combination of clinical examination, diagnostic imaging and objective gait analysis supports the diagnosis of left-sided elbow dysplasia (ED) with the source of pain in the medial joint compartment. The immediate improvement after local anaesthesia suggests inflammatory involvement or a possible structural lesion, e.g. early FCP (fragmented medial coronoid process).
The persistence of the slight PVF difference suggests that, besides pain, functional or chronic structural changes also play a role.
Case studies
You can find more interesting examples from practice in our LupoGait Academy.
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