Sagittal plane kinematics and kinetics of the pastern joint during the stance phase of the trot
Authors: Singleton W. H., Lanovaz J. L., Prades Marta, Clayton Hilary M.
Journal: Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology
Summary
# Editorial Summary Understanding how the pastern joint behaves during weight-bearing is crucial for diagnosing and managing forelimb lameness, yet detailed biomechanical data from sound horses remained limited. Singleton and colleagues used high-speed video analysis (200 Hz) combined with force plate recordings (1,000 Hz) to track sagittal plane motion and loading patterns across the pastern joint during the stance phase of the trot in six horses, calculating net joint moments and energy absorption throughout weight-bearing. The pastern demonstrated a substantial range of motion from peak flexion of approximately 155° at one-third stance through to maximum extension of 190° near the end of stance phase, with the joint absorbing energy continuously throughout, particularly in the latter half of weight-bearing when impact forces are naturally highest. Rather than acting as a primary mover, the pastern functions predominantly as a shock absorber and energy damper—a finding that explains both its anatomical design and its vulnerability to repetitive loading injuries. For practitioners, this reinforces that pastern pathology often reflects accumulated microtrauma from damping forces rather than biomechanical instability alone, and suggests that management strategies should prioritize load reduction and shock mitigation during training and recovery.
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Practical Takeaways
- •The pastern joint's main role is shock absorption during movement; understanding this helps explain why pastern injuries often occur under high-impact conditions
- •Maximum flexion occurs early in stance while maximum extension occurs very late; this timing is critical when evaluating pastern joint pathology or imbalance
- •Farriers and veterinarians should recognize that the palmar aspect of the pastern joint is under significant stress throughout stance, making this area vulnerable to injury and degeneration
Key Findings
- •Pastern joint reached maximal flexion of 155.3° at 34% of stance phase and maximal extension of 190.2° at 93% of stance phase
- •Energy absorption occurred throughout stance with peak absorption in the second half of the stance phase
- •Primary function of the pastern joint is to act as an energy damper during trotting