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Special Issue "Sports Medicine and Animal Rehabilitation"

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 17162

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Dr. Yves Samoy

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Department of Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Interests: small animal arthroscopy and orthopaedics; small animal physiotherapy; sports medicine; rehabilitation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mobility issues are a well known problem in veterinary medicine. Detecting these problems, finding a proper solution for them and getting these animals back to work can be very challenging, especially in the world of canine and equine athletics.

The scope of this Special Issue is to publish advances in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation research, both in the Small Animal, as in the Equine field. This includes novel techniques for lameness detection on the one hand and the results of specific rehabilitation schemes and techniques on the other.

Specific tests and therapies developed for professional sports often find their way to the general population as well, but this goes both ways! So if any of you feel that you have something to share that might revolutionize the diagnosis and/or treatment of mobility problems, this is the Special Issue to publish it in.

Dr. Yves Samoy
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Sports Medicine
Rehabilitation
Lameness examination
Physiotherapy

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Bilateral Change in Vertical Hoof Force Distribution in Horses with Unilateral Forelimb Lameness before and after Successful Diagnostic Anaesthesia

and

Animals 2022, 12(18), 2485; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12182485 - 19 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1074

Abstract

Kinetic examinations of horses with induced lameness as well as the effect of perineural anaesthesia in sound horses have shown promise, but clinical studies regarding the effect of diagnostic anaesthesia during the different stance phases are rare. Fourteen horses with unilateral forelimb lameness were examined with the Hoof™ System during trot to assess vertical force distribution (in kg) affecting both front hooves before and after diagnostic anaesthesia during landing, midstance, and breakover. For statistical analysis, a covariance analysis with repeated measurements regarding the limb (lame/sound) as well as anaesthesia (before/after) and the covariable body weight was performed. The p-values for the pairwise comparisons were adjusted using the Bonferroni–Holm correction (p < 0.05). For all phases of the stance, a significant interaction between the factors limb and anaesthesia was shown. Before diagnostic anaesthesia, vertical force was significantly reduced on the lame limb compared to the sound limb during landing (−25%, p < 0.001), midstance (−20%, p < 0.001) and breakover (−27%, p < 0.001). After anaesthesia, the difference between both forelimbs was not significant anymore for all phases. The vertical force on the lame limb increased significantly after positive anaesthesia during the whole stance phase, with breakover being most affected (+27%, p = 0.001). Pressure measurements with the Hoof™ System can be used to evaluate the effect of diagnostic anaesthesia in a clinical setting with pain-related vertical force asymmetries being neutralised after diagnostic anaesthesia. Breakover is the main event influenced by lameness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Medicine and Animal Rehabilitation)

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Open AccessArticle

Development of an Artificial Neural Network for the Detection of Supporting Hindlimb Lameness: A Pilot Study in Working Dogs

José Rodríguez-Altónaga

José Manuel Gonzalo-Orden

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Alexis Quesada

Animals 2022, 12(14), 1755; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12141755 - 08 Jul 2022

Viewed by 909

Abstract

Subjective lameness assessment has been a controversial subject given the lack of agreement between observers; this has prompted the development of kinetic and kinematic devices in order to obtain an objective evaluation of locomotor system in dogs. After proper training, neural networks are potentially capable of making a non-human diagnosis of canine lameness. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether artificial neural networks could be used to determine canine hindlimb lameness by computational means only. The outcome of this study could potentially assess the efficacy of certain treatments against diseases that cause lameness. With this aim, input data were obtained from an inertial sensor positioned on the rump. Data from dogs with unilateral hindlimb lameness and sound dogs were used to obtain differences between both groups at walk. The artificial neural network, after necessary adjustments, was integrated into a web management tool, and the preliminary results discriminating between lame and sound dogs are promising. The analysis of spatial data with artificial neural networks was summarized and developed into a web app that has proven to be a useful tool to discriminate between sound and lame dogs. Additionally, this environment allows veterinary clinicians to adequately follow the treatment of lame canine patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Medicine and Animal Rehabilitation)

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Open AccessArticle

Effect of Femoral Head and Neck Osteotomy on Canines’ Functional Pelvic Position and Locomotion

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Animals 2022, 12(13), 1631; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131631 - 24 Jun 2022

Viewed by 2347

Abstract

The long-term effect of femoral head and neck osteotomy (FHO) on the locomotory system of dogs was evaluated. The study comprised an owner questionnaire and an orthopaedic examination, anatomical measurements, and pressure-sensitive walkway analysis for dogs. Linear mixed effect models were used for statistical analysis. Ten dogs with a median of 2.5 years since their unilateral FHO were included. According to the questionnaire results, nine dogs had returned to a normal physical activity level. Muscle atrophy (p = 0.005), less extension in the coxofemoral joint (p = 0.003), and less static weight bearing on the FHO limb (p = 0.003) were observed. No consistent pattern regarding tilt or position of the pelvis was noted when measuring height of the tuber ischii (p = 0.39). Five of the dogs tilted away from, and five towards the FHO side when measured from the tuber sacrale with a Myrin goniometer. No differences regarding stance time, swing time, or peak pressure between the FHO and non-FHO limb were seen in trot (p = 0.70, p = 0.26, and p = 0.91, respectively). Over the long term, the FHO limb has muscle atrophy, decreased coxofemoral extension, and decreased static weight bearing. However, this does not seem to affect the trot of the dogs. Dog owners considered the outcome of surgery to be good or excellent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Medicine and Animal Rehabilitation)

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Open AccessArticle

Part II of Finnish Agility Dog Survey: Agility-Related Injuries and Risk Factors for Injury in Competition-Level Agility Dogs

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Animals 2022, 12(3), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030227 - 18 Jan 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4494

Abstract

Dog agility is associated with a risk for sport-related injuries, but few risk factors for injury are known. A retrospective online questionnaire was used to collect data on 864 Finnish competition-level agility dogs—including 119 dogs (14%) with agility-related injury during 2019. Data included injury details, health background, experience in agility, and sport and management routines prior to the injury. Risk factors for injury were evaluated with multivariate logistic regression. The rate of competition-related injuries was 1.44 injuries/1000 competition runs. The front limb was injured in 61% of dogs. In 65% of dogs, the injury presented as lameness. The main risk factors for agility-related injury during 2019 were multiple previous agility-related injuries (OR 11.36; 95% CI 6.10–21.13), older age when starting course-like training (OR 2.04 per one year increase; 95% CI 1.36–3.05), high training frequency, diagnosis of lumbosacral transitional vertebra, and physiotherapy every two to three months compared with never. The most important protective factors were moderate competition frequency and A-frame performance technique. These associations do not confirm causality. We identified new risk factors for injury in agility. This information can be used to improve the welfare of agility dogs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Medicine and Animal Rehabilitation)

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Open AccessArticle

Part I of Finnish Agility Dog Survey: Training and Management of Competition-Level Agility Dogs

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Animals 2022, 12(2), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12020212 - 17 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4034

Abstract

Knowledge regarding training, competition, and management routines of agility dogs is lacking. Through a retrospective online questionnaire, Finnish owners and handlers of 745 competition-level agility dogs provided information on training routines and management of these dogs during one year free of agility-related injuries. Competition routines were collected from the national competition results database. Most dogs trained agility 1–2 times a week, with a median active training time of 18 min a week. Dogs competed in a median of 2.1 runs per month at a speed of 4.3 m/s. Common field surfaces were different types of artificial turfs and dirt surface. Warm-up and cool-down were established routines, and 62% of dogs received regular musculoskeletal care. Moreover, 77% of dogs underwent conditioning exercises, but their frequency was often low. Additionally, dogs were walked for a median of 1.5 h daily. Pearson’s chi-squared and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to evaluate the association between a dog’s competition level and training and competition variables. A dog’s competition level was associated with competition (p < 0.001) and training frequency (p < 0.001); dogs at higher levels compete more but train less than dogs at lower levels. This study provides information on training, competition, and management routines of competing agility dogs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Medicine and Animal Rehabilitation)

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Open AccessArticle

Efficacy of Serial Ultrasonographic Examinations in Predicting Return to Play in Agility Dogs with Shoulder Lameness

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Animals 2022, 12(1), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12010078 - 30 Dec 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1608

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the use of shoulder ultrasound as a method of predicting the likelihood of returning to competition in agility dogs with shoulder teno-muscular injuries after a standardised rehabilitation protocol. Thirty-two agility dogs with a clinical and ultrasonographic diagnosis of shoulder teno-muscular injury were included in a prospective study with physical and ultrasound examinations at the time of diagnosis (T0) and at two (T2), four (T4) and six (T6) months; during this period, the dogs received rehabilitation treatments. The endpoint of the study was to obtain information regarding participation in agility competitions 12 months after diagnosis, based on telephone interviews with the owners. The clinical lameness score (CLS) and the ultrasound lesion score (ULS) were used as outcome measurements. The CLS indicated partial recovery from a shoulder injury at T2 (78%), while the ULS indicated no satisfactory recovery at T2 in any patient. At 4 months, the CLS alone was not a valuable predictor of full recovery from a shoulder injury in agility dogs. Relative Risk indicated that, at T2, ultrasound was 23.8 times more valuable in identifying a shoulder lesion as compared to clinical lameness score (CLS), and it was 2.53 times more valuable at T4. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Medicine and Animal Rehabilitation)

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Open AccessArticle

Clinical Evaluation of Creatine Kinase and Aspartate Aminotransferase for Monitoring Muscle Effort in Working Dogs in Different Simulated Fieldworks

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Animals 2021, 11(7), 1879; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11071879 - 24 Jun 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1254

Abstract

The clinical profiles of muscle biomarkers (Creatine Kinase–CK-and Aspartate Aminotransferase–AST) performed during training may help in determining the fitness level of dogs and their potentiality to perform specific activities. This study investigated the potential variations of physiological parameters and muscular biomarkers in trained search and rescue dogs during search activity in two different areas. The aim was to verify the absence of any muscular enzymes after 20 min of search activity. The variations of physiological parameters (pulse rate; respiratory rate; rectal body temperature) and skeletal muscular biomarkers (CK and AST) were evaluated before and after search activity. Twenty-three trained dogs met the inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups. One group experienced search activity in a well-known area, while the second one in a similar, but unknown, area. The results for physiological parameters and skeletal muscular biomarkers values showed no significant differences between the two groups (p > 0.05), confirming that an effective conditioning protects against enzymatic alteration during a 20 min duration of submaximal activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Medicine and Animal Rehabilitation)

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