Pablo: how a Rottweiler crossbreed paved the way for the next generation of sensors
Eleven-month-old Pablo, a Rottweiler mix, was actually a typical case for initial orthopaedic assessment: young, rescued from an animal shelter, known hip problems, visible lameness. Everything seemed clear. But as is so often the case, the clinical truth lies in the details. And in movement.
Objective lameness diagnosis using mobile kinematics systems in young dogs
Pablo was brought to our practice after the lameness in his right front limb became increasingly severe. He had originally been diagnosed with moderate hip dysplasia, and veterinary care had therefore focused on his hindquarters. However, his owner reported noticeable movements in his right front leg, which had not been investigated further. This is a classic case of multiple problems, as we often see in orthopaedics.
In addition to compensatory pelvic twisting, the gait pattern showed subtle but clear signs of relief of the right front limb. Particularly noticeable was the limited flexion in the right elbow joint and an altered swing phase. The shoulder on the opposite side was already clearly overloaded. This impression was clinically confirmed: atrophy of the right supraspinatus muscle, reduced joint mobility and a positive result in the flexion test.
The decisive factor in this case was the kinematic analysis using LupoGait. The measurement with our proven 6-sensor system showed clear asymmetrical movement parameters, a shortened support phase on the right and a limited range of motion in the elbow joint. The combination of clinical findings and objective evaluation led to the performance of a targeted diagnostic conduction anaesthesia, with remarkable effect: after just 20 minutes, the lameness had almost completely disappeared. The control measurement confirmed this impressively, with all relevant parameters having normalised. The suspected diagnosis was then clearly confirmed by a CT scan: fragmented medial coronoid process (FCP) on the right.
However, what makes Pablo’s case special goes beyond the successful diagnosis. Despite the clear findings, a crucial point emerged during the evaluation: certain functional patterns, especially in the shoulder girdle and axial compensation, could only be detected to a limited extent with the 6-sensor system. The clinical observation and technical evaluation were congruent, but there was a lack of data from segments that were previously outside the sensor range. Pablo was the first patient in whom this need became so clearly apparent.
This case thus became the starting point for the development of the expanded LupoGait 12-sensor system.
The new configuration now also enables the recording of:
- pelvic kinematics (sacrum, ilium)
- thoracic rotation (thoracic spine)
- proximal extremities (e.g. humerus, thigh)
- as well as global stability via a sensory reference module
The additional sensors allow subtle compensations, pelvic twists, shoulder rotations and even neurofunctional imbalances to be quantified even more precisely. This provides significant added value for prevention, diagnosis and therapy, especially for young dogs like Pablo, whose movement patterns are still developing.
The Pablo case is therefore a prime example of what makes LupoGait® so special as a system: a combination of clinical practice, scientific precision and technological advancement. The 12-sensor system is currently being tested at selected partner practices. Further research projects are in the pipeline, including studies on puppy development and neuro-orthopaedic diagnostics.
Because sometimes it is a single patient who provides the decisive impetus.
Pablo was one of them.
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