Gait Analysis and Locomotion Flashcards
7 cards from real CCAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Gait Analysis and Locomotion flashcards as text
What does a reduced peak vertical force (PVF) on a force plate analysis indicate about the tested limb?
Answer: Reduced weight bearing consistent with lameness
Reduced PVF indicates the animal is offloading the affected limb, which is a hallmark objective finding of lameness or pain.
What is the primary advantage of an underwater treadmill over a land treadmill for gait rehabilitation and analysis?
Answer: Reduced joint loading due to buoyancy
Water buoyancy reduces effective body weight, decreasing joint compressive forces while allowing weight-bearing gait training and assessment.
What is 'crabbing' in canine gait?
Answer: Lateral displacement of the hindquarters relative to the forequarters
Crabbing (sidewinding) occurs when the dog's hindquarters are offset to one side of the forelimb track, indicating a conformational or neurological problem.
Which gait assessment technology uses a pressure-sensitive walkway surface to capture paw contact patterns and force distribution?
Answer: Pressure walkway (e.g., Tekscan)
Pressure-sensitive walkways capture spatial and temporal gait parameters along with paw pressure distribution as the animal walks across the mat.
What does 'cadence' refer to in canine gait analysis?
Answer: Number of steps taken per unit of time
Cadence refers to the number of steps or strides taken per unit of time (typically steps per minute), reflecting the tempo of gait.
In neurological patients, what gait abnormality is characterized by exaggerated limb flexion and overshooting during the swing phase, often associated with cerebellar dysfunction?
Answer: Hypermetria
Hypermetria is an exaggerated range of motion during limb movement caused by cerebellar dysfunction, resulting in high-stepping or overshooting gait.
Which gait asymmetry finding on video analysis would most strongly suggest a weight-bearing hindlimb lameness?
Answer: Hip hiking (elevation of the pelvis) on the lame side during swing
Hip hiking, where the pelvis elevates on the affected side during swing phase, is a compensatory strategy to advance a painful or weak hindlimb.