Gait and Stance Analysis

This chapter is a comprehensive and practical guide to developing exercise treatment plans for canine patients. It helps the veterinary practitioners to find comprehensive ways to track patient progress, including gait analysis and stance analysis. The step in localizing pain or weakness is to observe a dog move through several gaits and transitions. Objective gait analysis uses kinetic and kinematic parameters to analyze movement. The most common gaits to detect lameness are as follows: walk, trot, and pace. Assessment of a dog's percentage of limb weight-bearing at a stance can aid in the initial localization and characterization of the affected limb. It can measure efficacy in response to treatment or signs of progressive disease. The chapter presents some tips for stance analyzers. It also offers well-organized and easily accessible guidance, with illustrative images and video links demonstrating exercises and manual therapy techniques.