Goniometry, the measurement of joint angles, has been used as a staple in human physical therapy since the 1970s [
In veterinary medicine, goniometry is used to assess outcome objectively in canine and feline patients undergoing physical therapy while recovering from orthopedic and neurologic disease [
Type 1 intervertebral disc disease was originally described by Hansen in the 1950s [
One difficulty with joint angle measurements in animals versus humans is the variety of limb shape and girth differences among breeds and between animal species. Joint angles differ not only between dogs and cats but also between different dog breeds [
The aims of this paper are (1) to report the mean and median pelvic limb joint angles and limb girth measurements in miniature Dachshunds presenting with ambulatory paraparesis, nonambulatory paraparesis, and paraplegia secondary to thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion and (2) to compare joint angle and limb girth measurements between miniature Dachshunds who present with ambulatory paraparesis, nonambulatory paraparesis, and paraplegia secondary to thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion. It is our hypothesis that we will be able to successfully report the mean and median goniometry and limb girth measurements in miniature Dachshunds with varying degrees of neurologic dysfunction and that there will be no significant difference in these values between groups.
Dachshunds that presented to the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital between April 2011 and February 2012 for thoracolumbar disc extrusion were included in the study. Dogs were being recruited for a physical rehabilitation study involving surgically addressed thoracolumbar disc herniation and hydrotherapy. Appropriate client consent was given prior to study enrollment. The project was approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee at the Washington State University. Dogs were excluded from the study if they did not have a thoracolumbar disc extrusion on MR imaging and if they were not taken to surgery.
Dachshunds were split into three groups. Group 1 consisted of 3 dogs; these dogs were ambulatory with pelvic limb paresis at the time of study inclusion. Group 2 consisted of 6 dogs; these dogs were nonambulatory with pelvic limb paresis at the time of study inclusion. Group 3 consisted of 6 dogs; these dogs were paraplegic at the time of study inclusion. All measurements were taken within 24 hours of presentation, diagnostic imaging, and surgery.
Goniometry was performed using a universal plastic goniometer with 8-inch arms and 360-degree head [
While in lateral recumbency, the girth of both the right and left pelvic limb was also measured in centimeters using a spring tape measure (Gulick II Tape Measure, Fitness Mart, Gays Mills, WI). The technique utilized to perform girth measurements was based on a previously published and validated technique [
The statistical analyses were performed using a statistical software package (SAS, version 9.3, SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Mean and standard deviation as well as median values for joint flexion and extension in addition to thigh girth were calculated. Mean and median flexion and extension angles were compared between groups 1–3 for each joint. Each value was viewed independently: dog 1 left limb hock extension was one variable and right limb hock extension was a second variable. The mean and median values for joint flexion and extension in addition to thigh girth were calculated regardless of group. A standard
The median and mean angles of flexion at the hip, stifle, and hock for all three groups of dogs are recorded in Table
Median and mean (with standard deviation) flexion angles at the hip, stifle, and hock in miniature Dachshunds. Each value was viewed independently, meaning dog 1 left limb hock flexion was one variable and right limb hock flexion was a second variable.
Group | Median flexion hip (°) | Median flexion stifle (°) | Median flexion hock (°) | Mean flexion hip (°) | Standard deviation | Mean flexion stifle (°) | Standard deviation | Mean flexion hock (°) | Standard deviation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1: ambulatory paraparetic group | 55 | 54 | 39 | 54.3 | 4.6 | 56 | 12.9 | 39.2 | 5.3 |
Group 2: nonambulatory paraparetic group | 49 | 50 | 40 | 49.1 | 8.4 | 48.2 | 13.2 | 39.5 | 7.1 |
Group 3: paraplegic group | 50 | 43.5 | 40 | 51.3 | 11.9 | 46 | 11.0 | 39.3 | 5.7 |
Pooled data combining all three groups | 50 | 50 | 40 | 51.6 | 2.61 | 50.1 | 5.3 | 39.3 | 0.15 |
The median and mean angles of extension at the hip, stifle, and hock for all three groups of dogs are recorded in Table
Median and mean (with standard deviation) extension angles at the hip, stifle, and hock in miniature Dachshunds. Each value was viewed independently, meaning dog 1 left limb hock extension was one variable and right limb hock extension was a second variable.
Group | Median extension hip (°) | Median extension stifle (°) | Median extension hock (°) | Mean extension hip (°) | Standard deviation | Mean extension stifle (°) | Standard deviation | Mean extension hock (°) | Standard deviation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1: ambulatory paraparetic group | 155 | 163.5 | 167.5 | 155 | 9.4 | 164.2 | 6.9 | 169.2 | 9.2 |
Group 2: nonambulatory paraparetic group | 151.5 | 160 | 172.5 | 152.5 | 10.6 | 157.3 | 7.7 | 171.5 | 8.0 |
Group 3: paraplegic group | 160 | 160 | 167.5 | 156.5 | 10.1 | 159.4 | 10.0 | 167.5 | 9.7 |
Pooled data combining all three groups | 155 | 160 | 167.5 | 154.7 | 2.0 | 160.3 | 3.5 | 169.4 | 2.0 |
The median and mean pelvic limb girth measurements for all three groups of dogs are recorded in Table
Median and mean (with standard deviation) thigh limb girth measurements in miniature Dachshunds. All limb girth measurements were made along the femur at a location 70% distal to the greater trochanter. Each value was viewed independently, meaning dog 1 left limb girth was one variable and right limb girth was a second variable.
Group | Median limb girth (cm) | Mean limb girth (cm) | Standard deviation |
---|---|---|---|
Group 1: ambulatory paraparetic group | 23.5 | 22.8 | 4.3 |
Group 2: nonambulatory paraparetic group | 22.5 | 22.7 | 2.2 |
Group 3: paraplegic group | 24 | 23.7 | 3.7 |
Pooled data combining all three groups | 23.5 | 23.1 | 0.55 |
There were no significant differences in joint angles or girth among the three groups (ambulatory paraparetic, nonambulatory paraparetic, or paraplegic); however, statistical significance was not reached;
We were able to successfully measure joint angles and girth in miniature Dachshunds in this study. It was found that when angles of flexion and extension between the three groups of dogs were compared, there was a trend toward measurements being more similar when made at the hock versus the stifle or hip. In our study, a variety of individuals made joint angle measurements, the trend in the data would support the idea of less variability when measurements of flexion and extension at the hock are made as compared to measurements at the stifle or hip in miniature Dachshunds. This finding is different than previous canine goniometry studies wherein measurements at all joints were found to be repeatable between individuals [
It is unlikely that the trend toward increased range of joint angles measured in the hip and stifle as compared to the hock between groups was secondary to the neurologic status of the patients. There was no trend toward one group of dogs having greater or lesser joint angles at one joint as compared to the next.
Additionally, there was no significant degree of variability in limb girth between groups of miniature Dachshunds enrolled in our study. Also, no trend was observed with respect to neurologic status affecting limb girth. Patients in this study suffered from thoracolumbar disc herniation and presented acutely after injury for work up and surgery. Thus, it is unlikely either disuse or neurogenic atrophy, both of which would affect limb girth measurements, was contributing to limb girth values in these dogs.
Limb girth measurements proved to be challenging in this population of dogs. In this study, thigh circumference was measured at a location 70% distal to the greater trochanter [
Some major goals of rehabilitation in neurologic patients are maintenance of muscle strength and joint mobility in addition to the reduction of muscle atrophy. Objective data such as joint angle and limb girth measurements is vital to gaging rehabilitation success in miniature Dachshunds suffering from both orthopedic and neurologic injuries. We conclude that joint angle and limb girth measurements can successfully be made in the miniature Dachshund but that the unique shape and muscle distribution of the breed’s pelvis make obtaining these values challenging. We also conclude that miniature Dachshunds, with varying neurologic dysfunction at the time of range of motion and limb girth assessments, show no significant difference in values when measurements are made within 24 hours of acute onset of neurologic signs.
Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Dr. Stephanie A. Thomovsky’s present address is Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, 625 Harrison Street, Lynn Hall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
The authors declare that there are no competing interests regarding the publication of this paper.