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For example, a dog with canine hip dysplasia often has secondary pain at the iliopsoas and perhaps tertiary pain at the thoracolumbar site. Goals should also be established and reviewed every two weeks with the owners. One dog post cranial cruciate surgery may need to ambulate around their house independently, go up stairs and play the role of companion to their owner. While another dog with a post cranial cruciate injury may need to return to herding geese off a golf course. Each animal will have a different rehab plan and goals. Physical rehabilitation may exist in the form of offering services to an existing population of patients within a clinic. For example, offering cryotherapy and laser therapy immediately postoperatively will assist with the multimodal approach. Senior dogs will benefit greatly from balance and proprioceptive exercises as part of a home program. More advanced rehabilitation programs may consist of clinics with underwater treadmills, land treadmills, and other fitness equipment. Patients may benefit from home exercise programs, independent home programs, or regular weekly visits to assist with their recovery. Postoperative patients are probably the easiest cases to begin implementing rehabilitation in your clinic tomorrow. Beginning with cyrotherapy, range of motion, controlled standing and leash walking, and balance exercises can be implemented immediately. Laser therapy is appropriate immediately. This patient may then be followed until they reach their goals. Rehabilitation will be essential for any clinic looking to practice the standard of care in their field. It may be implemented on a basic level or a more in depth level, depending upon the individual goals of the clinic. It will bring more of a comprehensive approach to the field and your facility. Rehabilitation of Common Rehabilitation Injuries Debbie Gross, DPT, MSPT, Diplomat Orthopedics ABPTS, CCRP Wizard of Paws Physical Rehabilitation for Animals, Colchester, CT Introduction - Forelimb Injuries to the forelimb complex of the dog are quite common and are often more difficult to diagnose and assess due to the complexity of the area. Soft tissue injuries as well as congenital issues are often the cause of lameness in the forelimb complex. Acute injuries such as sprains are also common, especially with the athletic dog. Elbow dysplasia and the ramifications associated with it are a common problem in the dog. Biceps Tenosynovitis Bicipital tenosynovitis is a commonly seen problem, especially in the active dog. Conservative treatments are initially attempted, and at times, surgical interventions are required. Owners often describe lameness problems with the forelimb as intermittent, often worsening with activity and improving with rest.
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