Abstract
Objective
To investigate effects of the use of stance time or velocity as control variables on ground reaction forces in lame dogs.
Animals
12 dogs with pelvic osteotomies.
Procedure
Data for ground reaction forces were obtained preoperatively and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 weeks postoperatively, using velocity and stance time as control variables. Ground reaction forces obtained were compared between the 2 methods of data collection, as were velocities and stance times of the trials.
Results
Significant differences in ground reaction forces were not found between the use of velocity or stance time as a control variable at any time. Also, significant differences in stance times or velocities were not found between the 2 methods of data collection. Greatest variation in stance time and velocity was found during periods of greatest lameness.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance
Use of stance time as a control variable in force plate analysis does not lead to significantly different results from use of velocity as a control variable, indicating that either method may be used in force plate analysis of dogs. (Am J Vet Res 1999;60:814–819)
