Biomechanical analysis in veterinary practice

Motion analysis systems and other biomechanical techniques are increasingly used in referral and general practice to increase the accuracy of diagnosis or progress reports. Objective measures are particularly useful when the same animal is assessed multiple times (eg, to assess rehabilitation following surgery) or by different members of staff (intra- or interobserver agreement). In addition, subclinical changes or otherwise inaccessible information can be detected. This article gives an overview of biomechanical analysis and explains the practicality and use of several means of gathering kinematic and kinetic data in the veterinary field, as well as indicating applications of their use.