To evaluate the effect of cold compression therapy (CCT) on postoperative pain, lameness, range of motion of the stifle joint, and swelling following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs.
CCT decreased signs of pain, swelling, and lameness and increased stifle joint range of motion in dogs during the first 24 hours after TPLO.
To determine effects of early intensive postoperative physiotherapy on limb function in dogs after tibial plateau levelingosteotomy (TPLO) for deficiency of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL).
After TPLO in CCL-deficient dogs, early physiotherapy intervention should be considered as part of the postoperative management to prevent muscle atrophy, build muscle mass and strength, and increase stifle joint flexion and extension ROMs.
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is thought to have an analgesic effect as well as a biomodulatory effect on microcirculation. This study was designed to examine the pain-relieving effect of LLLT and possible microcirculatory changes measured by thermography in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).
Our results show that LLLT reduces pain in KOA and improves microcirculation in the irradiated area.
To evaluate the effects of a weight reduction program combined with a basic or more complex physical therapy programincluding transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation on lameness in overweight dogs with osteoarthritis.
Caloric restriction combined with intensive physical therapy improved mobility and facilitated weight loss in overweight dogs. The combination of dietetic and physical therapy may help to improve the health status more efficiently than dietetic treatment alone.
To evaluate overall joint range of motion of the forelimb in healthy dogs ascending stairs compared with incline slope walking.
In healthy dogs, ramp and stair ascent consistently had greater range of motion compared to trotting on a flat surface, and ramp ascent had significantly greater range of motion compared to stair ascent (P<0·05). Shoulder flexion and extension, elbow extension and carpal flexion were all significantly greater while ascending the ramp compared to stairs. Shoulder extension on the flat was significantly greater than while ascending stairs.
This systematic review of available evidence for nonsurgical management of hip dysplasia considered 14 articles and scored nonsurgical management including: activity restrictions, weight management, acupuncture, modulation of joint disease by polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, mesenchymal stem cell therapy, and extra corporeal shock wave therapy.
“Weight management is an effective and important component of managing dogs with HD and associated osteoarthritis. Techniques that modulate the progression of joint disease may also be beneficial for treating dogs with HD. Further studies are needed to investigate other methods of managing HD such as hydrotherapy and physical rehabilitation.”
To compare cold compression therapy, modified Robert-Jones bandage or the combination of cold compression therapyplus modified Robert-Jones bandage on operated limbs following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy in dogs.
There was no significant difference in weight-bearing, range of motion or limb swelling between groups. There was a trend for dogs in the cold compression therapy and cold compression therapy with a bandage groups to have a greater increase in weight-bearing after surgery compared with the bandage-only group.
This retrospective cohort study using electronic questionnaires compared the perioperative complication rates of tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery and the 8-week, 6-month, and 1-year functional outcomes, between rehabilitation and traditional post-operative management.
This study suggests that rehabilitationperformed by a certified practitioner is safe and may improve short-term outcomes when used in the initial postoperative managementfor dogs treated with TPLO.
The effect of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) or sham light therapy on pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) requirement, and lameness was studied in 20 dogs with naturally occurring elbow osteoarthritis.
There was greater improvement in lameness score post PMBT versus S therapy (P = 0.001). A greater reduction in pain score was detected in 9/11 parameters in group PBMT (P < 0.05). Regularly scheduled PBMT at 10 to 20 J/cm2 per joint for 6 weeks was successful in improving lameness and pain scores, and in lowering NSAID requirement in canine elbow osteoarthritis patients.
