Musculoskeletal modelling in dogs: challenges and future perspectives

Billy Dries1; Ilse Jonkers2; Walter Dingemanse1; Benedicte Vanwanseele2; Jos Vander Sloten3; Henri van Bree1; Ingrid Gielen1
1Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; 2Human Movement Biomechanics Research Group, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; 3Biomechanics Section, Faculty of Engineering Science, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

Summary
Musculoskeletal models have proven to be a valuable tool in human orthopaedics research. Recently, veterinary research started taking an interest in the computer modelling approach to understand the forces acting upon the canine musculoskeletal system. While many of the methods employed in human musculoskeletal models can applied to canine musculoskeletal models, not all techniques are applicable. This review summarizes the important parameters necessary for modelling, as well as the techniques employed in human musculoskeletal models and the limitations in transferring techniques to canine modelling research. The major challenges in future canine modelling research are likely to centre around devising alternative techniques for obtaining maximal voluntary contractions, as well as finding scaling factors to adapt a generalized canine musculoskeletal model to represent specific breeds and subjects.

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