A Pressure-Sensitive Glove for Standardization of the Force Applied During Distal Forelimb Flexion Tests in Horses

• Flexion test is a routine procedure for equine practitioners during lameness evaluation.
• A pressure-sensitive glove could be used to standardize the force applied.
• The glove was effective in standardizing the force in forelimb flexion test.
• The pressure-sensitive glove could become an essential and affordable tool.

The force applied by the surgeon, during a flexion test, has a strong influence on the outcome of the test. The objective of this study was to verify if a commercially available pressure-sensitive glove could be used to standardize the force applied in the equine distal forelimb flexion test. Three experienced veterinary surgeons and three final-year students performed bilateral distal forelimb flexion tests on cadaver limbs and on live horses with a pressure-sensitive glove. All participants were asked to apply a constant force for 60 seconds using the indicator on the glove display while a camera recorded the value on the glove display. The videos were reviewed and the percentage of time for which the correct force was applied was measured. No significant differences were found between the percentages of time of application of the standard force between experienced and nonexperienced operators (P = .802). No statistical difference was found between experienced and inexperienced operator either in live horses (P = .591) or in the cadaver model (P = .797). In conclusion, the pressure-sensitive glove could become an essential and affordable tool for the equine practitioner, facilitating standardization of the test.