Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2020; 33(02): 142-146
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3400484
Original Research
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Carpal Extension Angles in Agility Dogs Exiting the A-Frame and Hurdle Jumps

Andrea Castilla
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
,
Brooke Knotek
2   Animal Emergency and Referral Center, Oakdale, Minnesota, United States
,
Molly Vitt
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
,
Wanda Gordon-Evans
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.
Further Information

Publication History

04 April 2019

14 October 2019

Publication Date:
08 January 2020 (online)

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the mean carpal extension angles in dogs participating in the A-frame and hurdle jumps, and to determine if the use of a carpal brace changed the carpal extension angle.

Study Design Data from 13 healthy agility dogs were included. Approximately 1 cm square adhesive tape markers placed on both forelimbs served as anatomic landmarks for carpal angle measurement. Each dog was filmed landing after jumping over a bar and exiting the A-frame. Five valid trials on each obstacle were collected. The carpal braces were then applied and the dogs were allowed to navigate obstacles for 10 minutes. Once acclimated to the brace, an additional five valid trials were collected. Carpal extension was measured from the videos collected using a video analysis software.

Results Without the carpal brace, the mean carpal extension angles ± standard deviations in dogs participating in the A-frame and hurdle jumps were 124.7 ± 11.9 degrees and 123.3 ± 6.3 degrees, respectively. With the carpal brace, the mean carpal extension angles ± standard deviations were 129.1 ± 11.4 degrees and 125.3 ± 7.3 for the A-frame and hurdle jumps, respectively. There was no clinically significant reduction as defined (>10 degrees) in carpal extension measurements with and without the brace.

Clinical Significance The brace used in this study did not show a clinically significant reduction in carpal extension. However, multiple avenues for future research have been identified using these data.

Authors' Contributions

Andrea Castilla and Wanda Gordon-Evans contributed to conception of study, study design, acquisition of data and data analysis and interpretation. Brooke Knotek contributed to study design, acquisition of data and data analysis and interpretation. Molly Vitt contributed to acquisition of data and data analysis and interpretation. All authors drafted, revised and approved the submitted manuscript.


 
  • References

  • 1 American Kennel Club. Agility. Available at: www.akc.org/sports/agility/ . Accessed October 26, 2017
  • 2 Cullen KL, Dickey JP, Bent LR, Thomason JJ, Moëns NM. Internet-based survey of the nature and perceived causes of injury to dogs participating in agility training and competition events. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013; 243 (07) 1010-1018
  • 3 Levy M, Hall C, Trentacosta N, Percival M. A preliminary retrospective survey of injuries occurring in dogs participating in canine agility. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2009; 22 (04) 321-324
  • 4 Canapp SO, Kirkby K. Disorders of the canine forelimb: veterinary diagnosis and treatment. In: Zink MC, Van Dyke JB. , eds. Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. John Wiley & Sons; 2011: 223-249
  • 5 Pfau T, Garland de Rivaz A, Brighton S, Weller R. Kinetics of jump landing in agility dogs. Vet J 2011; 190 (02) 278-283
  • 6 Appelgrein C, Glyde MR, Hosgood G, Dempsey AR, Wickham S. Reduction of the A-frame angle of incline does not change the maximum carpal joint extension angle in agility dogs entering the A-frame. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2018; 31 (02) 77-82
  • 7 Surve I, Schwellnus MP, Noakes T, Lombard C. A fivefold reduction in the incidence of recurrent ankle sprains in soccer players using the Sport-Stirrup orthosis. Am J Sports Med 1994; 22 (05) 601-606
  • 8 Sitler M, Ryan J, Wheeler B. , et al. The efficacy of a semirigid ankle stabilizer to reduce acute ankle injuries in basketball. A randomized clinical study at West Point. Am J Sports Med 1994; 22 (04) 454-461
  • 9 Grant-Ford M, Sitler MR, Kozin SH, Barbe MF, Barr AE. Effect of a prophylactic brace on wrist and ulnocarpal joint biomechanics in a cadaveric model. Am J Sports Med 2003; 31 (05) 736-743
  • 10 Moore MS, Popovic NA, Daniel JN, Boyea SR, Polly Jr DW. The effect of a wrist brace on injury patterns in experimentally produced distal radial fractures in a cadaveric model. Am J Sports Med 1997; 25 (03) 394-401
  • 11 Holler PJ, Brazda V, Dal-Bianco B. , et al. Kinematic motion analysis of the joints of the forelimbs and hind limbs of dogs during walking exercise regimens. Am J Vet Res 2010; 71 (07) 734-740
  • 12 Carr JG, Millis DL, Weng HY. Exercises in canine physical rehabilitation: range of motion of the forelimb during stair and ramp ascent. J Small Anim Pract 2013; 54 (08) 409-413
  • 13 Kopec NL, Williams JM, Tabor GF. Kinematic analysis of the thoracic limb of healthy dogs during descending stair and ramp exercises. Am J Vet Res 2018; 79 (01) 33-41
  • 14 Finkbiner MJ, Gaina KM, McRandall MC. , et al. Video movement analysis using smartphones (ViMAS): a pilot study. J Vis Exp 2017 :e54659. doi:10.3791/54659
  • 15 Schurr SA, Marshall AN, Resch JE, Saliba SA. Two-dimensional video analysis is comparable to 3D motion capture in lower extremity movement assessment. Int J Sports Phys Ther 2017; 12 (02) 163-172
  • 16 Fanchon L, Grandjean D. Habituation of healthy dogs to treadmill trotting: repeatability assessment of vertical ground reaction force. Res Vet Sci 2009; 87 (01) 135-139
  • 17 Riggs CM, DeCamp CE, Soutas-Little RW, Braden TD, Richter MA. Effects of subject velocity on force plate-measured ground reaction forces in healthy greyhounds at the trot. Am J Vet Res 1993; 54 (09) 1523-1526
  • 18 Eward C, Gillette R, Eward W. Effects of unilaterally restricted carpal range of motion on kinematic gait analysis of the dog. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2003; 16 (03) 158-163