Academy · For veterinarians
Objective gait analysis in veterinary practice
Measure movement objectively. Complement clinical findings. Document treatment progress transparently.
Clinical gait assessment is part of everyday orthopaedic work. However, minor asymmetries, bilateral changes or gradual developments cannot always be clearly detected by eye. Sensor-based gait analysis complements the clinical examination with quantitative movement parameters. With LupoGait, vets can document a dog’s gait under real-world practice conditions, compare changes across several measurements and include the results in their diagnostic assessment. The mobile system can be used both in general veterinary practice and in specialist orthopaedic, neurological and rehabilitation facilities.
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Why objective gait analysis in veterinary practice?
Visual gait assessment is an important part of the orthopaedic examination. However, its reliability can be influenced by the examiner’s experience, the dog’s speed and the severity of the gait abnormality. Objective gait analysis complements these observations with measurable parameters. The inertial sensor system LupoGait records movement data while the dog walks or trots and analyses them with dedicated software. The analysis allows selected temporal and kinematic parameters of the limbs to be assessed. Particularly relevant is the ability to compare measurements taken at different times. This makes it possible to document functional changes, for example during rehabilitation or with chronic orthopaedic conditions.
At a glance:
- Measuring principle: inertial measurement units (IMUs)
- System variants: 6 or 12 sensors
- Measurement setting: mobile, inside or outside the practice
- Recommended distance: a straight track of about 20 metres for standardised measurements. Small circles, larger circles and figures of eight are also possible, for example to assess changes in movement when turning.
- Time required: a standard measurement including preparation typically takes under 10 minutes once routine
- Measurement protocol: standardised movement sequences, for example at a trot
- Analysis: temporal and kinematic movement parameters
- Documentation: digital analysis, progress tracking and PDF report
- Applications: orthopaedics, neurology, rehabilitation and movement monitoring
In detail
Clinical applications of objective gait analysis
1. Mild or intermittent lameness. Not every gait abnormality is clearly visible during a short clinical examination. Quantitative recording of selected gait parameters can provide additional information on temporal asymmetries and changes in the movement pattern. The measurement supports clinical interpretation but does not automatically localise the structure causing the pain.
2. Bilateral orthopaedic conditions. With bilateral conditions, symmetry parameters alone may appear normal even though both limbs are functionally impaired. It is therefore important not to look only at left-right differences, but also to take absolute movement parameters, clinical findings and, where available, the dog’s previous measurements into account.
3. Pre- and post-operative monitoring. After orthopaedic procedures such as TPLO, TTA or hip surgery, repeated measurements can document functional changes. The results can be assessed in the context of the clinical examination and the course of rehabilitation.
4. Chronic joint disease. With osteoarthritis or other chronic conditions, changes can occur gradually. Standardised follow-up measurements make it possible to compare selected movement parameters over longer periods.
5. Neurological conditions. With neurological conditions, movement coordination, footfall sequence and limb movement can change. Kinematic analysis can provide complementary information on the gait. However, the neurological examination remains decisive for the diagnostic assessment.
6. Puppies and young dogs. With the LupoGait Puppy add-on, movement parameters can be documented during growth. Longitudinal measurements can help to observe individual development and changes across several growth phases.
7. Sports and working dogs. In athletic dogs, a baseline measurement can serve as an individual reference. Repeated measurements make it possible to compare movement parameters during training phases, after injuries or as part of rehabilitation.
Which movement parameters does LupoGait provide?
LupoGait uses inertial sensors to record kinematic data from the dog. Different parameters are available depending on the system variant and measurement protocol.
Temporal gait parameters. These parameters describe the timing of the individual phases of the gait cycle. They include, for example, stance phase duration, swing phase duration, stride duration, stride frequency or cadence, and timing differences between the limbs.
Kinematic parameters. Depending on the sensor configuration, movement angles and ranges of motion of selected body segments or joint regions can be analysed, among other things. These include, for example, flexion and extension movements and the range of motion (ROM).
Symmetry and progress. Comparing the right and left limbs can indicate movement asymmetries. With repeated measurements in particular, changes in individual parameters can be shown over time.
Which LupoGait system suits your practice?
LupoGait is available in two system variants. Both are based on inertial sensor technology but differ in the scope of the movement information they record. You can find the differences between the two system variants and details of what is included in our overview of the LupoGait systems.
Scientific basis of sensor-based gait analysis
Objective gait analysis with inertial measurement units (IMUs) enables selected movement parameters to be recorded quantitatively outside a permanently installed gait laboratory. Scientific validation is crucial here: it shows how reliably certain parameters can be recorded and which limitations must be taken into account when interpreting them. A validation study published in 2023 examined selected kinematic parameters of the LupoGait system. The results support the use of the sensor technology to record defined movement parameters in dogs. In further research projects, 4Dvets is also investigating how movement patterns develop during growth and additional options for segmental movement analysis.
How does a gait analysis with LupoGait work?
For a standardised gait analysis, the sensors are first attached to defined regions of the dog’s body. The dog is then led along a track that is as straight as possible, about 20 metres long, following a set measurement protocol. The measurement includes short standing phases and movement sequences, for example at a trot, which are repeated in the opposite direction after a turn. Depending on the clinical question, additional tasks such as small circles or figures of eight can be performed. The recorded data are then analysed by the software and presented as temporal and kinematic movement parameters. The results can be documented in a PDF report and compared with later measurements. Once routine, a standard measurement including preparation usually takes less than ten minutes.
Applications in veterinary practice
Onboarding and professional support
Integrating a gait analysis system into everyday practice involves not only the technical application but also standardised measurement procedures and the interpretation of movement parameters. 4Dvets supports practices in introducing LupoGait, from correct sensor placement and carrying out measurements to analysing and interpreting the results.
Frequently asked questions
Sensor-based gait analysis can record minor movement asymmetries and changes in individual gait parameters that are not always clearly visible on visual assessment. However, not every measurable asymmetry automatically means that clinically relevant lameness is present. The results must therefore be interpreted in the context of the orthopaedic or neurological examination.
Visual gait assessment is an essential part of the clinical examination. Objective gait analysis complements it with quantitative movement parameters that can be documented and compared across several measurements. This is particularly helpful with minor changes, chronic conditions and during rehabilitation.
No. LupoGait is a mobile sensor system and does not need a permanently installed measuring platform. For standardised measurements, a track that is as straight as possible and about 20 metres long is recommended. It can be inside or outside the practice. Depending on the clinical question, additional tasks such as small circles, turns or figures of eight can be performed to assess changes in the movement pattern under different conditions.
After appropriate training, staff can take over the technical side of the measurement, provided the relevant legal and practice requirements are met. Correct sensor placement and a standardised measurement protocol are important. The medical interpretation of the results is carried out by the responsible vet.
The 6-sensor system records selected temporal and kinematic gait parameters and documents movement asymmetries. The 12-sensor variant extends the analysis to additional body segments and joint regions. These include, in particular, movements in the shoulder, elbow, hip and stifle regions, as well as additional information on movement patterns of the spinal region. The extended sensor configuration can therefore also be of interest for orthopaedic and neurological questions, for example relating to the lumbosacral region. Which system variant is suitable depends on the clinical questions and the desired scope of analysis.
Repeated measurements allow selected movement parameters to be compared over a longer period. This can be useful, for example, after orthopaedic surgery, during rehabilitation or with chronic conditions. For the most reliable comparisons, gait, speed, surface and measurement protocol should be largely the same.
LupoGait is designed for everyday clinical use. The onboarding covers correct sensor placement, carrying out standardised measurements, and analysing and interpreting the movement parameters. The actual training effort depends on the practice team’s experience and the intended scope of use.
Objective gait analysis in your veterinary practice
Would you like to record selected movement parameters objectively, document functional changes and integrate gait analysis into your clinical workflows? We would be happy to present the applications of LupoGait and show you which system variant suits your practice’s needs.