Using the CatWalk method to assess weight-bearing and pain behaviour in walking rats with ankle joint monoarthritis induced by carrageenan: Effects of morphine and rofecoxib

Gait Analysis Methods for Rodent Models of Osteoarthritis

“…Using duty factor imbalance (simply, left limb duty factor minus right limb duty factor), these unilateral compensations can be identified, where duty factor imbalances statistically greater than zero indicate right limb injury and duty factor imbalances statistically less than zero indicate left limb injury [19]. Shifts in the temporal gait sequence have been reported for several unilateral pain injury models, including but not limited to peripheral carrageenan or adjuvant injection [54, 33, 55, 24•, 25, 26•] and sciatic nerve constriction [23]. Similar temporal shifts have been reported for a collagen type II antibody-induced model of inflammatory arthritis [28], intra-articular over-expression of interleukin-1 [18], monoiodoacetate (MIA) model of knee OA [16••, 56, 57], ACLT model of knee OA [16••], and for the MMT model of knee OA [17••].…”

“…Given the relationships between paw print intensity and limb loading, these unilateral compensations may be indicative of changes in limb loading that may occur due to movement-evoked pain. Though limb loading can be assessed more directly ( see “Dynamic” section), changes in paw print intensity have been seen in a carrageenan-induced monoarthritis model [54, 33], nerve injury models [23, 60], and an ACLT model of OA [61••]. …”

Ground reaction forces are more sensitive gait measures than temporal parameters in rodents following rotator cuff injury

“…Interestingly, Kale et al demonstrated a dose-dependent functional response to ethanol in mice with respect to stance, propulsion, and braking times, indicating that analysis of temporal parameters alone may be adequately sensitive for some applications (Kale et al, 2004). Similarly, Angeby-Möller and colleagues found that morphine and rofecoxib both reduced pain behavior (according to stance time and a surrogate measure for weight-bearing) in monoarthritic rats compared to a saline-injected control (Angeby-Moller et al, 2008). Nevertheless, the results of the current study suggest that direct measurement of kinetic parameters using a coupled gait analysis system increases the sensitivity of gait analysis.…”

“…Second, it is noted that non-force couple gait analysis systems can calculate temporal metrics other than stance, propulsion, and braking duration. However, these parameters were selected for the current study as they are commonly reported, easy to interpret, and have been previously associated with the interval available for force generation (Allen et al, 2009; Angeby-Moller et al, 2008; Hampton et al, 2011; Krizsan-Agbas et al, 2014). Despite these limitations, our results clearly demonstrate that ground reaction forces are more sensitive than kinetic parameters to differences in gait in a rat model of rotator cuff injury.…”

Vitamin C Deficiency Causes Severe Defects in the Development of the Neonatal Cerebellum and in the Motor Behaviors ofGulo−/−Mice

“…7A, B). The CatWalk test is commonly used for gait analysis, which analyzes neurodegeneration and behavioral measures for neurological diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease) (37,70). As shown in Figure 7C and D, the values for the duty cycle and run duration were increased.…”