Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Volume 30, Issue 6 , Pages 310-321 , June 2010

A Pressure Algometer Is a Useful Tool to Objectively Monitor the Effect of Diagnostic Palpation by a Physiotherapist in Warmblood Horses

  • Phebe De Heus

      Affiliations

    • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Gerry Van Oossanen

      Affiliations

    • Equireva, Rehab Centre for Horse and Rider, Dwingeloo, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Machteld C. Van Dierendonck

      Affiliations

    • Ethology and Welfare Group, Biology Department, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Willem Back

      Affiliations

    • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
    • Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of the Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Willem Back, Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, NL-3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.

References 

  1. Casey RA. Pain. In:  Waran N editors. The welfare of horses. New York, NY: Springer; 2002;p. 25–30
  2. Vanderweeën L, Oostendrop RAB, Vaes P, Duquet W. Pressure algometry in manual therapy. Man Ther. 1996;1:258–265
  3. Haussler KK, Hill AE, Puttlitz CM, McIlwraith CW. Effects of vertebral mobilisation and manipulation on kinematics of the thoracolumbar region. Am J Vet Res. 2007;68:508–516
  4. Ranner W, Gerhards H, Klee W. Diagnostische Validität der Palpation bei Pferden mit Rückenproblemen. Berliner und Münchener tierärztliche Wochenschrift. 2002;115:420–424
  5. Denoix JM, Pailloux JP. Physical therapy and massage for the horse. 2nd ed.. London, UK: Trafalgar Square Publishing; 2005;
  6. Cauvin E. Assessment of back pain in horses. Practice. 1997;19:522–533
  7. Ashley FH, Waterman-Pearson AE, Whay HR. Behavioural assessment of pain in horses and donkeys: application to clinical practice and future studies. Equine Vet J. 2005;37:565–575
  8. Gundel M, Schatzmann U, Ueltschi G. Rückenprobleme beim Pferd: Ein Vergleich der bildgebenden Verfahren mit der klinischen Untersuchung. Pferdeheilkunde. 1997;13:659–666
  9. Fischer AA. Algometry in diagnosis of musculoskeletal pain and evaluation of treatment outcome: an update. J Musculoskel Pain. 1998;6:5–32
  10. Pöntinen PJ. Reliability, validity, reproducibility of algometry in diagnosis of active and latent tender spots and trigger points. J Musculoskel Pain. 1998;6:61–71
  11. Haussler KK, Erb HN. Pressure algometry: objective assessement of back pain and effects of chiropractic treatment. In: Proceedings 49th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, 2003; New Orleans, LA. Ithaca, NY: International Veterinary Information Service (www.ivis.org).
  12. Ylinen J, Nykanen M, Kautiainen H, Hakkinen A. Evaluation of repeatability of pressure algometry on the neck muscles for clinical use. Manual Therapy. 2007;12:192–197
  13. Ohrbach R, Gale EN. Pressure pain thresholds, clinical assessment, and differential diagnosis: reliability and validity in patients with myogenic pain. Pain. 1989;39:157–169
  14. Fischer AA. Pressure algometry over normal muscles. Standard values, validity and reproducibility of pressure threshold. Pain. 1987;30:115–126
  15. Varcoe-Cocks K, Sagar KN, Jeffcott LB, McGowan CM. Pressure algometry to quantify muscle pain in racehorses with suspected sacroiliac dysfunction. Equine Vet J. 2006;38:558–562
  16. Nussbaum EL, Downes L. Reliability of clinical pressure-pain algometric measurements obtained on consecutive days. Phys Ther. 1998;78:160–169
  17. Antonaci F, Sand T, Lucas GA. Pressure algometry in healthy subjects: inter-examiner variability. Scand J Rehabil Med. 1998;30:3–8
  18. Haussler KK, Erb HN. Mechanical nociceptive thresholds in the axial skeleton of horses. Equine Vet J. 2006;38:70–75
  19. Holton LL, Scott EM, Nolan AM, Reid J, Welsh E, Flaherty D. Comparison of three methods used for assessment of pain in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1998;212:61–66
  20. Williamson A, Hoggart B. Pain: a review of three commonly used pain rating scales. J Clin Nurs. 2005;14:798–804
  21. Pritchett LC, Ulibarri C, Roberts MC, Schneider RK, Sellon DC. Identification of potential physiological and behavioural indicators of postoperative pain in horses after exploratory celiotomy for colic. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2003;80:31–43
  22. Hansen BD. Assessment of pain in dogs: veterinary clinical studies. ILAR J. 2003;44:197–205
  23. Van Loon JPAM, De Grauw JC, Van Dierendonck M, L’Ami JJ, Back W, Van Weeren PR. Intra-articular opioid analgesia is effective in reducing pain and inflammation in an equine LPS induced synovitis model. Equine Vet J. 2010;
  24. Dyson S, Murray R. Pain associated with the sacroiliac joint region: a clinical study of 74 horses. Equine Vet J. 2003;35:240–245
  25. Haussler KK, Bertram JEA, Gellman K, Hermanson JW. Segmental in vivo vertebral kinematics at the walk, trot and canter: a preliminary study. Equine Vet J Suppl. 2001;33:160–164
  26. Wennerstrand J, Johnston C, Roethlisberger-Holm K, Erichsen C, Eksell P, Drevemo S. Kinematic evaluation of the back in the sport horse with back pain. Equine Vet J. 2004;36:707–711
  27. Wolf L. The role of complementary techniques in managing musculoskeletal pain in performance horses. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2002;18:107–115
  28. Dyson SJ. The cervical spine and soft tissues of the neck. In:  Ross MW,  Dyson SJ editor. Diagnosis and management of lameness in the horse. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2003;p. 522–531
  29. Ohrbach R, Gale EN. Pressure pain thresholds in normal muscles: reliability, measurement effects, and topographic differences. Pain. 1989;37:157–169
  30. Fanselow MS, Calcagnetti DJ, Helmstetter FJ. Role of mu and kappa opioid receptors in conditional fear-induced analgesia: the antagonistic actions of nor binaltorphimine and the cyclic somatostatin octapeptide, Cys2Tyr3Orn5Pen7-amide. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1989;250:825–830
  31. Fraser JA. Some observations on the behaviour of the horse in pain. Br Vet J. 1969;125:150–151
  32. Weller R, Pfau T, Babbage D, Brittin E, May SA, Wilson AM. Reliability of conformational measurements in the horse using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Equine Vet J. 2006;38:610–615
  33. Gundel M, Schatzmann U. Rückenprobleme beim Pferd: 3. Vorschlag eines klinischen Untersuchungsprotokolls zur Abklärung einer Rückenproblematik beim Reitpferd. Pferdeheilkunde. 1997;13:213–221
  34. Goff L, Crook T. Physiotherapy assessment for animals. In:  McGowen C,  Goff L,  Stubbs N editor. Animal physiotherapy. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishing Ltd; 2007;p. 136–163
  35. Sullivan KA, Hill AE, Haussler KK. The effects of chiropractic, massage and phenylbutazone on spinal nociceptive thresholds in horses without clinical signs. Equine Vet J. 2008;40:14–20
  36. Göbel H, Cordes P. Circadian variation of pain sensitivity in pericranial musculature. Headache. 1990;30:418–422
  37. Procacci P. Chronobiological studies on pain threshold. Pain. 1993;55:277
  38. Bruguerolle B, Labecque G. Rhythmic pattern in pain and their chronotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2007;59:883–895
  39. Labracque G, Vanier MC. Rhythms, pain and pain management. In:  Redfern P editors. Chronotherapies. London, UK: Pharmaceutical Press; 2003;p. 212–233
  40. Barni S, Lissoni F, Rovelli S, Crispino F, Paolorossi D, Esposti F, et al. Alteration of opioid peptide circadian rhythm in cancer patients. Tumori. 1988;74:357–360
  41. Hamra JG, Kamerling SG, Wolfsheimer KJ, Bagwell CA. Diurnal variation in plasma ir-beta-endorphin levels and experimental pain thresholds in the horse. Life Sci. 1993;53:121–129
  42. Pandyan AD, Johnson GR, Price CIM, Barnes MP, Rodgers H. A review of the properties and limitations of the Ashworth and modified Ashworth scales as measures of spacticity. Clin Rehabil. 1999;13:373–383
  43. Haussler KK, Erb HN. Pressure algometry for the detection of induced back pain in horses: a preliminary study. Equine Vet J. 2006;37:76–81
  44. Kosek E, Ekholm J, Hansson P. Pressure pain thresholds in different tissues in one body region the influence of skin sensitivity in pressure algometry. Scand J Rehabil Med. 1999;31:89–93
  45. Kosek E, Ekholm J, Nordemar R. A comparison of pressure pain thresholds in different tissues and body regions. Long-term reliability of pressure algometry in healthy volunteers. Scand J Rehabil Med. 1993;25:117–178
  46. Haussler KK. Diagnosis and management of sacroiliac joint injuries. In:  Ross MW,  Dyson SJ editor. Diagnosis and management of lameness in the horse. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2003;p. 803–811
  47. Haussler KK. Chiropractic evaluation and management of musculoskeletal disorders. In:  Ross MW,  Dyson SJ editor. Diagnosis and management of lameness in the horse. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2003;p. 501–508

PII: S0737-0806(10)00212-1

doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2010.04.010

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Volume 30, Issue 6 , Pages 310-321 , June 2010

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution