Diagnosis of hindlimb lameness using acupuncture points in sport horses

The detection of hindlimb lameness is usually considered to be more difficult than the forelimb lameness; thus, it tends to be overlooked. Therefore, an alternative diagnostic method employing acupuncture points for diagnosis of hindlimb lameness is being considered. The objective of this study...

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Main Authors: Tanakorn Phetkarl, Angkana Kidtiwong, Ashannut Isawirodom, Kritsana Watchararat, Kannika Na Lampang, Siriporn Khumsap, Porrakote Rungsri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University 2024-07-01
Series:Veterinary Integrative Sciences
Online Access:https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/vis/article/view/268765
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author Tanakorn Phetkarl
Angkana Kidtiwong
Ashannut Isawirodom
Kritsana Watchararat
Kannika Na Lampang
Siriporn Khumsap
Porrakote Rungsri
author_facet Tanakorn Phetkarl
Angkana Kidtiwong
Ashannut Isawirodom
Kritsana Watchararat
Kannika Na Lampang
Siriporn Khumsap
Porrakote Rungsri
author_sort Tanakorn Phetkarl
collection DOAJ
description The detection of hindlimb lameness is usually considered to be more difficult than the forelimb lameness; thus, it tends to be overlooked. Therefore, an alternative diagnostic method employing acupuncture points for diagnosis of hindlimb lameness is being considered. The objective of this study was to identify the diagnostic acupoints associated with hock pain in sport horses with hindlimb lameness. In this study, 33 sport horses from polo and riding activities were examined for hock pain through acupuncture diagnosis (AD), subjective lameness examinations (SE) by experienced equine veterinarians’ opinions, and objective lameness examinations (OE) using body-mounted inertial sensor systems. From 33 horses, 14 horses with hock pain were included in this study and underwent intra-articular analgesia at the tarsometatarsal joint (TMT block). Each horse was then assessed and graded with the score of improvement for sensitivity of acupuncture points and lameness. From 14 horses, the results indicated that the kappa test for agreement of diagnostic method in determining lame limbs between AD and OE was 71.43% (95%CI = 51.33% - 86.77%), which was significantly higher when compared with the agreement between AD and SE at 64.29% (95%CI = 44.07% - 81.36%). Among the improved horses after TMT block, the score of improvement for sensitivity of acupuncture points also improved significantly on four transpositional acupoints. Based on our findings, Gallbladder-27, Spleen-13, Bladder-39a, and Bladder-39b were determined to be valuable suggestive acupoints for hock pain in horses with different sport activities. In conclusion, the results of this study advocate for the use of acupuncture diagnosis as a supporting lameness diagnosis method.
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spelling doaj-art-e3d98b1b63434657be21d866b91e623a2025-08-20T02:49:58ZengFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai UniversityVeterinary Integrative Sciences2629-99682024-07-0123210.12982/VIS.2025.041Diagnosis of hindlimb lameness using acupuncture points in sport horsesTanakorn PhetkarlAngkana KidtiwongAshannut IsawirodomKritsana WatchararatKannika Na LampangSiriporn KhumsapPorrakote Rungsri The detection of hindlimb lameness is usually considered to be more difficult than the forelimb lameness; thus, it tends to be overlooked. Therefore, an alternative diagnostic method employing acupuncture points for diagnosis of hindlimb lameness is being considered. The objective of this study was to identify the diagnostic acupoints associated with hock pain in sport horses with hindlimb lameness. In this study, 33 sport horses from polo and riding activities were examined for hock pain through acupuncture diagnosis (AD), subjective lameness examinations (SE) by experienced equine veterinarians’ opinions, and objective lameness examinations (OE) using body-mounted inertial sensor systems. From 33 horses, 14 horses with hock pain were included in this study and underwent intra-articular analgesia at the tarsometatarsal joint (TMT block). Each horse was then assessed and graded with the score of improvement for sensitivity of acupuncture points and lameness. From 14 horses, the results indicated that the kappa test for agreement of diagnostic method in determining lame limbs between AD and OE was 71.43% (95%CI = 51.33% - 86.77%), which was significantly higher when compared with the agreement between AD and SE at 64.29% (95%CI = 44.07% - 81.36%). Among the improved horses after TMT block, the score of improvement for sensitivity of acupuncture points also improved significantly on four transpositional acupoints. Based on our findings, Gallbladder-27, Spleen-13, Bladder-39a, and Bladder-39b were determined to be valuable suggestive acupoints for hock pain in horses with different sport activities. In conclusion, the results of this study advocate for the use of acupuncture diagnosis as a supporting lameness diagnosis method.https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/vis/article/view/268765
spellingShingle Tanakorn Phetkarl
Angkana Kidtiwong
Ashannut Isawirodom
Kritsana Watchararat
Kannika Na Lampang
Siriporn Khumsap
Porrakote Rungsri
Diagnosis of hindlimb lameness using acupuncture points in sport horses
Veterinary Integrative Sciences
title Diagnosis of hindlimb lameness using acupuncture points in sport horses
title_full Diagnosis of hindlimb lameness using acupuncture points in sport horses
title_fullStr Diagnosis of hindlimb lameness using acupuncture points in sport horses
title_full_unstemmed Diagnosis of hindlimb lameness using acupuncture points in sport horses
title_short Diagnosis of hindlimb lameness using acupuncture points in sport horses
title_sort diagnosis of hindlimb lameness using acupuncture points in sport horses
url https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/vis/article/view/268765
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AT kritsanawatchararat diagnosisofhindlimblamenessusingacupuncturepointsinsporthorses
AT kannikanalampang diagnosisofhindlimblamenessusingacupuncturepointsinsporthorses
AT siripornkhumsap diagnosisofhindlimblamenessusingacupuncturepointsinsporthorses
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