Barbara A Bockstahler

University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna | vetmed · Department for Companion Animals and Horses

Simple Summary The proximodistal patellar position in canine pathologies, including patella luxation, cruciate ligament rupture, and osteoarthrosis, is not fully understood, while this topic is much better understood in human medicine. Various methods are used to confirm the proximodistal patellar position, but they all require calculations and are...

Background Various trochleoplasty techniques, including trochlear wedge recession (TWR) and trochlear block recession (TBR), are used to treat dogs with medial patellar luxation (MPL). However, the objective outcomes of these surgical procedures are underreported. Methods Medical records were obtained for dogs weighing less than 10 kg that underwe...

Introduction Center of pressure (COP) parameters are frequently assessed to analyze movement disorders in humans and animals. Methodological discrepancies are a major concern when evaluating conflicting study results. This study aimed to assess the inter-observer reliability and test-retest reliability of body COP parameters including mediolateral...

Postural stability requires an interaction between cognitive, perceptual, sensory, and motor functions. Thus, impairment in any of these systems may affect postural balance. This study assessed the effect of visual input and surface slope on postural stability. The study was conducted on healthy participants, 11 females and 11 males who were 24-34...

This study aimed to explore the effect of external mechanical perturbations on postural stability (PS) in dogs using the body center of pressure (COP). Thirteen sound adult dogs were included in this study. PS was tested during quiet standing on a pressure measurement plate. The conditions included a standard standing measurement and external mecha...

Heelwork walking is a command that competitive obedience and working dogs are trained to perform. Unlike other canine sports, the research for competitive obedience sport is limited and no research regarding biomechanical gait adaptions during heelwork walking has been published. The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in vertical groun...

Hip laxity is one of the predisposing factors of canine hip dysplasia. The early diagnosis of hip laxity allows veterinarians to prevent the participation of dysplastic dogs in breeding programs, which could lower the disease’s prevalence due to its genetic background. Furthermore, it allows them to plan preventive/therapeutic procedures for mild/n...

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a common orthopedic disease. Owing to the importance of CHD in affected dogs, both clinically and for their use in breeding or work, increasing attention is being given to early diagnosis. Therefore, early clinical and radiological examination of young animals is increasingly in demand, whereas common CHD screening acc...

Virtual reality and augmented reality are new but rapidly expanding topics in medicine. In virtual reality, users are immersed in a three-dimensional environment, whereas in augmented reality, computer-generated images are superimposed on the real world. Despite advances in human medicine, the number of published articles in veterinary medicine is...

Few studies exist addressing the effects of guide dog harnesses on dogs biomechanics. The aim of this study was to investigate how two different harness types affect ground reaction forces and stride length. Twelve certified guide dogs were tested under different conditions: walking with a collar and leash, walking with the harness used daily (Norw...

Dog boots are commonly used as protective footwear against snow, ice, hot sand, road salt, and paw injury. Only a few studies exist in veterinary medicine that capture the impact of dog boot replacements, such as bandages, on ground reaction forces (GRF) in dogs. To our knowledge, no studies have investigated the effect of dog boots on the center o...

Walking over obstacles is a widely used physiotherapy exercise in dogs. Current research is limited to the effect of this exercise in kinematics and muscle activation in dogs. The present study assessed the influence of walking over obstacles on the ground reaction forces (GRFs) and center of pressure (COP) in dogs. Data of dogs walking over one an...

Canine hip dysplasia is a complex and multifactorial disease. The early diagnosis of dysplastic dogs under one year of age helps veterinarians to plan proper preventive/therapeutic methods. Having an accurate screening method increases the chance of the early detection of dysplasia. The goal of our study was to assess the inter-observer reliability...

Background Recent advances in laparoscopy both in human and veterinary medicine have looked at means of being less invasive by using single-port access surgery as opposed to multiport access surgery. The glove port has gained popularity as a cost-effective alternative to commercially available single-port access devices. The primary aim of this stu...

The assessment of limb conformations in veterinary orthopedics is a significant tool used to determine the quantitative degree of limb malalignments. As in human medicine, various studies have been undertaken in veterinary medicine to determine the values in different dog breeds and to determine the values in healthy and diseased dogs. The objectiv...

Background: This study evaluated joint stability after surgical repair of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifle joints in cats using a novel absorbable polylactide bone anchor in an ex vivo model. Methods: Thirty-six hindlimbs from cats with intact (Gi group) and transected CrCLs were treated with fabellotibial suture alone (GFW grou...

Introduction: Evaluation of the hind limb conformations was always important in veterinary orthopedics. Using standard methods provide reliable values, especially in the case of bilateral deformities, where the sound extremity does not exist. Objectives: The aims of this study were to report standard values in different breeds, to compare the meas...

Canine hip dysplasia is a multifactorial disorder characterized by hip laxity and osteoarthritis. The early diagnosis of hip laxity is an important topic in small animal orthopedics. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between clinical orthopedic examinations and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) scoring method. Thirty purebr...

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare ground reaction forces (GRFs) of a group of cats after femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO) with those of a historical control group. Methods: We searched the database of the Small Animal Clinic of the Veterinary University in Vienna for cats that had undergone unilateral FHO at least 1 year p...

Laparoscopy is a growing field in veterinary medicine, although guidelines are lacking. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pressure–volume curve during capnoperitoneum in cats. A total of 59 female cats were scheduled for routine laparoscopy. Pressure and volume data were recorded and processed, and the yield point of the curve was cal...

The center of pressure (COP) is recognized as a valuable tool for the assessment of orthopedic and neurologic disorders in humans. Relatively few studies are available in veterinary medicine, particularly concerning the COP in the individual paw. This study assessed the dynamic paw COP parameters during the stance phase of dogs with cox- or cubarth...

In the present study, we used a pressure plate to investigate the ground reaction forces of limbs and the vertical force distribution (VFD) within the paws of dogs with coxarthrosis. We included 23 sound dogs (GSou) and 23 dogs with hip osteoarthrosis (GCox). The dogs walked over a pressure plate and the peak vertical force (PFz), vertical impulse...

Objectives The aim of our study was to compare the standard fabellotibial suture with Mini TightRope fixation for the treatment of a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture using a feline custom-made limb press. Methods Cadaveric hindlimbs of 10 cats were inserted in the limb press at predefined joint angles and loads of 10% and 30% body weight (BW...

Objectives This study aimed to verify if a significant difference exists between parameters in the early evaluation of normal and near-normal hip joints, to evaluate the influence of age and breed on the parameters, and to clarify the usefulness of a total score for differentiating between Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) grade A and B h...

Detection of lameness in cats can be very time-consuming and frustrating. Feline studies have shown that the success of treatment can be evaluated by measurement of the ground reaction force (GRF). However, the possibility of multiple limb involvement or the presence of a compensatory mechanism has not been investigated. Furthermore, there has been...

Detection of lameness in cats can be very time-consuming and frustrating. Feline studies have shown that the success of treatment can be evaluated by measurement of the ground reaction force (GRF). However, the possibility of multiple limb involvement or the presence of a compensatory mechanism has not been investigated. Furthermore, there has been...

Kenntnisse über die Belastung der Gliedmaßen im Stand und in der Bewegung gesunder Hunde sind wichtig, um die Belastung erkrankter Gliedmaßen besser zu verstehen. Der Beitrag gibt einen kurzen Überblick über biomechanische Forschungsergebnisse und verdeutlicht, inwiefern das biomechanische Verständnis eine gezielte Erstellung therapeutischer Übunge...

Background Advanced bipolar vessel sealing devices are widely used in human and veterinary medicine to reduce the operation time and intraoperative blood loss. Because most devices are made for a single use, their application is cost intensive. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of multiple uses and sterilization on the performa...

Introduction: Measurement of limb alignment in veterinary orthopedics and establishment of reference ranges for these alignments would allow veterinarians to grade angular deformity quantitatively and plan more suitable treatments. The objectives of this study were to report the values for femoral and tibial angles in Chihuahuas with medial patell...

Kinetic analyses are becoming increasingly important for biomechanical research in veterinary medicine and as a diagnostic tool for orthopaedic examinations in dogs. Such analysis enables accurate evaluation of the vertical force distribution (VFD) in canine paw pads. The aim of this study was to assess peak vertical force (PFz) as a percent of tot...

Objective To describe a single‐port laparoscopic‐assisted ovariohysterectomy (LOHE) with a modified glove‐port technique in dogs and compare it with previously published laparoscopic techniques for LOHE in dogs. Study design Prospective clinical study and technique description. Animals Forty‐two healthy female dogs. Methods Laparoscopic‐assisted...

Experimental and human studies have reported the advantages of a suture length to wound length (SL:WL) ratio greater than 4:1 in midline abdominal closure. This is achieved when the tissue bite (TB) is equal to or larger than the stitch interval (SI). Although TB and SI values are recommended in some textbooks, SL:WL ratios are rarely reported in v...

Objective This study aimed to investigate the suture length to wound length ratio (SL:WL) in an in vitro model of abdominal wall closure. Effects of the surgeon’s experience level on the SL:WL ratio were evaluated, hypothesizing that small animal surgeons do not spontaneously apply SL:WL ratios equal to or larger than 4:1. Procedures Three groups...

Measurement of fore and pelvic limb alignment in veterinary orthopedics is significant, as it is in human medicine. The establishment of reference ranges for alignments and comparing measured ranges in diseased animals to these reference values would allow veterinarians to specify the quantitative degree of an angular deformity, plan suitable treat...

Intra- and inter-observer group ranges. SYMAX: angle of inclination with SYMAX method, aLPFA: anatomic lateral proximal femoral angle, aLDFA: anatomic lateral distal femoral angle, FVA: femoral varus angle, mLPFA: mechanical lateral proximal femoral angle, mLDFA: mechanical lateral distal femoral angle, AA: angle of anteversion, mMPTA: mechanical m...

Current research on gait analysis mostly involves horses and dogs. Feline kinetics and kinematics are being investigated and receiving more clinical interest at present. Ground reaction forces measured on pressure-sensitive mattresses have been established in healthy Domestic Shorthair cats (DSH). Currently, no further information exists on either...

Raw data of all measured Domestic Shorthair and Maine Coon Cats. MC = Maine Coon, DSH = Domestic Shorthair, m = male, mc = male castrated, f = female, fc = female castrated, FL = fore left, FR = fore right, HL = hind left, HR = hind right, V = Velocity, PFz = Peak vertical force, Ifz = Vertical impulse, BM = Body mass, TF = Total force, SI = Symmet...

Objective To evaluate the penetration depth (VNPD) of 2 disposable Veress needles (VN) at 4 insertion sites in the abdomen. Study design Descriptive study. Sample population Canine cadavers (n = 22, 6 for confirmation of the test methods and 16 for the comparative study). Methods Two disposable VN (VN A and VN B) were inserted at 4 sites (9th in...

Objective: The optimal surgical technique for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in canine has been scientifically discussed for decades. Despite the continuous debate, proximal tibial osteotomies such as tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) are increasingly common. The objective of this revi...

Background information The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Kinesio Taping on the trajectory of the forelimb and the muscle activity of the M. brachiocephalicus and the M. extensor carpi radialis in horses. 19 horses and ponies of different breeds (body weight: 496±117 kg), gender (8 mares, 10 geldings and 3 stallions) and ages (14...

Permission of the horse owners. (PDF)

Objective: To compare design features and mechanical properties of 13 commercially available Veress needles (VN). Study design: In vitro biomechanical study. Sample population: Veress needles from 9 manufacturers (6 reusable, 6 disposable, and 1 with a reusable stylet combined with a disposable cannula) were included in the study. Methods: V...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the pressure-volume relationship during capnoperitoneum in dogs and effects of body weight and body conformation. ANIMALS 86 dogs scheduled for routine laparoscopy. PROCEDURES Dogs were allocated into 3 groups on the basis of body weight. Body measurements, body condition score, and body conformation indices were calculated. C...

Objectives This study aimed to compare the under-and-over technique, a type of intracapsular treatment, and the standard fabella–tibial suture, a method for extracapsular treatment, in achieving immediate, postoperative stifle stability after cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture by using a feline, custom-made limb-press model. Methods Cadaveri...

Gait analysis has been extensively performed in dogs and horses; however, very little is known about feline biomechanics. It was, therefore, the aim of this study to determine the coefficient of variation (CV) among three ground reaction force (GRF) measurements taken for 15 client-owned European shorthaired cats without a training period and a sho...

Raw data. V = Velocity, LF = Left fore limb, RF = Right fore limb, LH = Left hind limb, RH = Right hind limb, SL = Step length, PFz = Peak vertical force, Ifz = Vertical impulse, PCA = Paw contact area, SPD = Stance phase duration, _1 = First measurement day, _2 = Second measurement day, _3 = Third measurement day. (PDF)

In contrast to gait analysis in humans, where pedobarography is an integral part of biomechanical studies, veterinary researchers have rarely investigated vertical force distribution (VFD) in the paws of dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the VFD of peak of vertical force (PFz), vertical impulse (IFz) and time of occurrence of PFz durin...

Canine osteoarthritis (OA) is frequently encountered in dogs. Various methods are available to treat the associated pain, stiffness and lameness. A recently developed method involves the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), in which a permanent magnetic field is combined with an interfering field. A double-blinded randomized trial was performed...

Background Retrievers are dogs particularly bred to retrieve birds or other small game, for the retrieval, the dogs are typically sent to the place where the shot game has fallen or to search the field for the wounded but still live game in order to return them to the hunter as quickly as possible. Examples of game animals are pheasants, mallard du...

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament is a common multifactorial disease of the stifle joint in dogs. Forces acting in the cranial cruciate ligament deficient joint result in an instability causing cranial tibial subluxation, which is known as cranial tibial thrust. In the last three decades numerous biomechanical surgical techniques have been e...

Physical therapy and rehabilitation is a rapidly growing field in veterinary medicine. This chapter presents a short overview of common physical therapy interventions. In physical therapy therapeutic ultrasound is commonly used for deep tissue heating to improve the extensibility of connective tissues, to decrease pain and muscle spasms, and to pro...

Background: Current recommendations for portal placement in laparoscopy are often imprecise. The aim of this study was to establish and evaluate a mapping system for portal placement during laparoscopic procedures in small animals. Sixty-four final-year veterinary students took part in this in papyro study. Descriptions of portal placements of two...

Cats have orthopedic problems, including osteoarthritis, fractures, and luxations that are positively impacted by physical rehabilitation. Most cats have an independent behavior that requires using a tactful approach to rehabilitation. Cats often do well with manual therapy and electrophysical modalities. Feline rehabilitation sessions may be short...

Physical agent modalities can be effective components of the overall rehabilitation of small animals. This article reviews the effects, indications, contraindications, and precautions of cold, superficial heat, therapeutic ultrasound, and electrical stimulation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Objective To analyze the muscle activity patterns of the vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and gluteus medius (GM) during walking and specific physiotherapeutic exercises in clinically sound, healthy dogs without lameness. Study DesignObservational study. AnimalsClinically sound dogs (n=10). Methods Surface electromyography was performed...

Inclined or slippery surfaces and various other types of obstacles are common demands in our environment. Dogs with impaired locomotion might have difficulties to manage rough terrain. Gait analyses using force plates or pressure plates, which are well established to characterize limb loads in human medicine as well as in animals, are mostly limite...

Introduction Guide dogs accomplish unimaginable tasks during their service. They accompany blind people through their daily routines and cope with a variety of diffi cult situations, making them irreplaceable for their owners not only as working dogs but also as friends for life. The aim of this study was to describe the infl uence of guide dog har...

To assess joint kinematics in dogs with osteoarthritis of the hip joints during walking up an incline or down a decline and over low obstacles and to compare findings with data for nonlame dogs. 10 dogs with osteoarthritis of the hip joints (mean ± SD age, 6.95 ± 3.17 years; mean body weight, 34.33 ± 13.58 kg) and 8 nonlame dogs (3.4 ± 2.0 years; 2...

Objective: To measure the activity patterns of the vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris, and gluteus medius (GM) muscle at a walk in sound dogs and dogs with hip osteoarthritis (OA). Animals: Dogs (n = 10) with hip OA and 7 clinically sound dogs. Methods: Self-reflective markers and a high-speed camera system were used for kinematic measureme...

Kinematical motion analysis of the front legs of dogs suffering from osteoarthritis of the elbow joint during special physical therapy exercise regimes Introduction Aim of this study was the kinematical analysis of the forelimb of dogs suffering from cubarthrosis while going uphill, downhill and over obstacles (Cavaletti). Our general hypothesis wa...

To assess forelimbs and hind limb joint kinematics in dogs during walking on an inclined slope (uphill), on a declined slope (downhill), or over low obstacles (cavaletti) on a horizontal surface and compare findings with data acquired during unimpeded walking on a horizontal surface. 8 nonlame dogs (mean +/- SD age, 3.4 +/- 2.0 years; weight, 23.6...

Stair ambulation is sometimes unavoidable for humans and canines, and changes several parameters of the gait cycle in comparison to level walking. The purpose of this paper is to review and investigate stair ambulation kinematics and kinetics for the human and canine when compared with gait on level surfaces. Data collected from 2 laboratories in a...

The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of reactivity of "Shu" and "Mu" points ascertained during a TCM examination, and to evaluate the findings with respect to Western internal organ function. In a blinded study, 40 animals (23 dogs and 17 cats) with different diseases were included. The animals were presented at the Clinic for Internal Me...

Medication and physical therapy for chronic pain patients The article provides an overview about the management of the chronic pain patient. The principal physiological mechanisms of pain processing and control are described and special aspects of peripheral and central sensibilisation are expounded. Detailed insights into conservative pain managem...