Table 1 The criteria of clinical lameness score

Score criteria

 [1] Normal stance

 [2] Slightly abnormal stance (partial weight-bearing of the limb, but the paw remains firmly in contact with floor)

 [3] Markedly abnormal stance (partial weight-bearing of the limb, with minimal contact between the paw and the floor)

 [4] Severely abnormal stance (no weight-bearing)

Lameness at walk

 [1] No lameness; normal weight-bearing on all strides observed

 [2] Mild lameness with partial weight-bearing

 [3] Obvious lameness with partial weight-bearing

 [4] Marked lameness with no weight-bearing

Lameness at trot

 [1] No lameness; normal weight-bearing on all strides observed

 [2] Mild lameness with partial weight-bearing

 [3] Obvious lameness with partial weight-bearing

 [4] Marked lameness with no weight-bearing

Willingness to allow the clinician to lift the limb contralateral to the affected limb

 [1] Readily accepts contralateral limb elevation, bears full weight on the affected limb for more than 30 s

 [2] Offers mild resistance to contralateral limb elevation, bears full weight on the affected limb for more than 30 s

 [3] Offers moderate resistance to contralateral limb elevation and replaces it in less than 30 s

 [4] Offers strong resistance to elevation of contralateral limb and replaces it in less than 10 s

 [5] Refuses to raise contralateral limb

Range of motion (ROM)

 [1] Full ROM

 [2] Mild decrease (10–20%), with no crepitus

 [3] Mild decrease (10–20%), with crepitus

 [4] Moderate decrease (20–50%)

 [5] Severe decrease (≥ 50%)

Pain at palpation/mobilization

 [1] No pain elicited on palpation/mobilization of the affected joint

 [2] Mild pain elicited, e.g., turns the head in recognition

 [3] Moderate pain elicited, e.g., pulls the limb away

 [4] Severe pain elicited, e.g., vocalizes or becomes aggressive

 [5] Severe pain elicited, e.g., not allow examiner to palpate/mobilize the joint

Evaluation of overall clinical condition

 [1] Good

 [2] Mildly poor

 [3] Moderately poor

 [4] Severely poor

 [5] Very severely poor