Lameness in dogs: objective gait analysis for functional recovery

In everyday orthopedic practice, gait assessment often begins—and too often ends—with visual observation. Within a few steps, clinicians judge symmetrical preference, limb preference, and apparent comfort. When lameness is subtle or intermittent, a dog that walks without obvious head bob or pelvic sway is frequently labeled as “improved”¹. Yet functional recovery is rarely that simple.

Dogs are exceptionally skilled at compensation. Reduced loading of an affected limb may be masked by increased reliance on contralateral limbs, altered stance duration, or subtle changes in propulsion that are difficult to detect visually, particularly at walking speed. As a result, visual gait normalization may coexist with persistent functional impairment.

When gait looks better, but function does not: evidence from kinematic analysis

When “acceptable” gait is misleading

This discrepancy is especially evident in common orthopedic conditions:

• Osteoarthritis, where bilateral disease obscures asymmetry
• Medial patellar luxation, with intermittent or speed-dependent lameness
• Postoperative recovery, where pain reduction often precedes biomechanical normalization

In these patients, the absence of obvious lameness does not guarantee restoration of limb function. A gait may appear symmetrical while joint motion or limb loading remains abnormal. Relying solely on visual assessment risks underestimating residual dysfunction and overestimating readiness for activity progression.

From observation to measurement

Objective gait analysis: measuring contribution, not compensation

Once this limitation is recognized, the clinical focus must shift from appearance to performance. Objective gait analysis enables this shift by quantifying how a limb functions during locomotion, rather than how movement appears to the observer. 

By assessing gait across multiple strides under standardized conditions, clinicians can identify deficits that remain invisible during routine examinations. A dog may walk comfortably, satisfy owner expectations, and appear clinically improved, yet continue to offload a limb or demonstrate abnormal joint mechanics that compromise long-term outcome³.

Objective gait analysis encompasses several complementary approaches, each addressing a different aspect of function:

• Kinematic analysis, including active range of motion (Video 1), characterizes joint movement patterns during locomotion.
• Kinetic analysis, using a force plate system (Video 2), and pressure-sensitive walkways provide information on limb loading, paw contact area, stance duration, and compensatory loading strategies.

Together, these tools allow clinicians to distinguish true functional recovery from adaptive compensation. Unlike subjective scoring, objective measurements are reproducible and comparable over time, making them particularly valuable for monitoring rehabilitation and postoperative progression.

Why objective data changes management

Objective gait analysis becomes clinically meaningful when it informs decision-making. Quantitative data allow clinicians to:

• Determine whether apparent improvement reflects true functional recovery or compensatory adaptation
• Monitor rehabilitation progress beyond pain relief alone
• Detect plateau or regression early, before clinical deterioration becomes evident
• Adjust activity restriction, rehabilitation protocols, and return-to-function timelines with greater confidence

This distinction is particularly important when imaging and visual assessment suggest success. Radiographic alignment, implant position, or reduced pain do not automatically equate to restored biomechanics.

Key message

Objective gait analysis reframes clinical assessment from “Does this look better?” to “Does this limb function better?” By integrating objective gait data into orthopedic evaluation, clinicians gain insight into the quality of recovery, not just its appearance. This functional perspective supports more precise rehabilitation strategies, more informed return-to-activity decisions, and ultimately, improved long-term outcomes for orthopedic patients.