Vertical force analysis in dogs with hip osteoarthritis undergoing treatment with chondroprotectors

Abstract

This study was aimed at evaluating vertical forces generated during locomotion in dogs affected with hiposteoarthritis (OA) submitted to chondroprotective treatment with chondroitin sulphate and lucosamine(CS-GLU). Eighteen dysplastic dogs suffering from secondary bilateral hip OA and treated with CS-GLU(200mg and 300mg/10kg/SID respectively) for 60 days (treated group), and 18 lameness free dogs withnormal hip joints (healthy group) were evaluated. A pressure sensitive walkway was used to measure peakvertical force (PVF), vertical impulse (VI) and stance phase (SP) duration. Data collection was performed prior to and within 30 and 60 days of treatment (treated group), or on a single occasion (healthy group). Longitudinal and intergroup comparisons were made using repeated measures ANOVA followed by the Tukey post-hoc test and the unpaired t-test respectively, with a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). Mean peak vertical force did not differ significantly within the treated group. However, mean PVF and VI were lower in the treated compared to the control group. A slight increase in mean VI was documented in one treated limbat time points 30 and 60. Results of this study suggest hip OA leads to decreased weight bearing and treatmentwith CS-GLU does not improve PVF in the short term.