Is gait analysis a good clinical tool for outcome assessment?

Summary

Objective gait analysis is considered the gold standard for clinical evaluation of lameness. Most frequently, force platform or pressure sensitive walkways are utilized for data acquisition. These systems are costly and data acquisition has to be performed in a dedicated space. Furthermore, the data acquired is influenced by many factors that can influence the results. Several other technologies (such as stance analyzers and inertial sensors) are currently being developed, however, their clinical applicability yet has to be determined.

Kinetic and kinematic gait analysis:

Evaluation of limb function is crucial to assess the efficacy of treatment options for musculoskeletal disease in dogs. Historically, much of the literature has relied on subjective observations made by the veterinarian or owner questionnaires assessing lameness.^1-3  However, physical examination and visual assessment of lameness by veterinarians have been shown to be unreliable and inconsistent.^4-7  Owner questionnaires are a very useful tool, however, they represent a subjective outcome measurement that is subject to placebo (a positive change as response to a sham intervention) or nocebo (a negative change as response to a sham intervention) phenomenon.^8-10 [...]