Systematic review of ground reaction force measurements in cats.
Authors: Schnabl E, Bockstahler B
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary Orthopaedic disease in cats is radiographically common yet clinically underrecognised, partly because kinetic gait analysis—a routine assessment tool in equine and canine practice—remains underutilised in feline medicine. Schnabl and Bockstahler conducted a systematic review of 12 studies employing ground reaction force (GRF) measurement via pressure-sensitive walkways to characterise normal and abnormal locomotion in cats, all of which incorporated acclimatisation protocols prior to data collection. In sound cats, forelimb peak vertical forces exceeded hindlimb values, and notably, feline hindlimb peak vertical forces were significantly greater than those recorded in dogs at equivalent body weights, suggesting distinct biomechanical adaptations. The evidence base confirms that GRF analysis represents a valid, objective method for detecting lameness and quantifying therapeutic responses in cats, closing a significant gap between the biomechanical assessment capabilities available to equine and small animal practitioners. For those treating orthopaedic conditions in cats, these findings advocate for adoption of kinetic gait analysis to improve diagnostic precision and enable evidence-based evaluation of treatment efficacy in a species where subjective clinical assessment alone often misses subtle but clinically significant locomotor compromise.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Ground reaction force measurement is a validated non-invasive tool for objective assessment of lameness in cats, filling a gap in feline orthopaedic diagnostics
- •Pressure-sensitive walkways with proper acclimatisation protocols can reliably measure gait parameters in cats to differentiate sound from diseased locomotion
- •This technique enables objective monitoring of treatment responses in feline orthopaedic cases, improving clinical decision-making beyond radiographic findings alone
Key Findings
- •12 studies evaluated ground reaction force measurements in cats using pressure sensitive walkways
- •Forelimb peak vertical force was greater than hindlimb peak vertical force in sound cats during walking
- •Peak vertical force in hindlimb was greater in cats than in dogs
- •Ground reaction forces can be used to evaluate lameness and treatment effects in cats