Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How well do dog lameness scores match force plate results
By Quinn, Margaret M et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2007·Department of Medical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of agreement between numerical rating scales, visual analogue scoring scales, and force plate gait analysis in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of mixed breed dogs that had surgery to repair a leg bone were evaluated for limping using different scoring methods. Veterinarians used numerical and visual scales to rate the dogs' lameness before surgery and again at 4 and 8 weeks after. They also measured the dogs' movement using a force plate. The results showed that the scoring methods didn't always agree with the force plate data, especially unless the dogs were very lame. This suggests that while subjective scoring can be useful, it shouldn't replace more precise methods like force plate analysis for assessing lameness.
People also search for: dog limping after surgery · dog lameness scoring methods · force plate analysis for dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of numerical rating (NRS) and visual analogue (VAS) scoring scales compared with force plate gait analysis and agreement between observers for each scoring scale. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Mixed breed dogs (n=21) with a right limb tibial osteotomy repaired with an external fixator. METHODS: Three small-animal veterinarians with orthopedic training scored lameness using NRS and VAS before surgery, and at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. Peak force and impulse were determined at the same time points using a force plate. Agreement between observers and with force plate data was assessed. Significance was set at P< or =.05. RESULTS: Agreement was generally low among observers for both NRS and VAS scores. When evaluated at each time point, an acceptable level of agreement was present only at 4 weeks after surgery. Only impulse had a significant relationship with some of the observers' subjective scores. No significant relationships between any observer's scores and force plate data existed if very lame dogs were omitted. CONCLUSIONS: Subjective scoring scales do not replace force plate gait analysis. Agreement is low unless lameness is severe, and each observer uses an individually unique scale. Subjective scoring scales most accurately reflect force plate gait analysis when lameness is severe. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subjective lameness scoring scales may not accurately reflect lameness and do not replace force plate gait analysis. Observers must stay the same during the duration of a study for accurate analyses.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17547599/