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Rehabilitation

Effects of caloric restriction and a moderate or intense physiotherapy program for treatment of lameness in overweight dogs with osteoarthritis.

Summary:

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.

Conclusion:

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.

Author & Journal:Mlacnik E, et al, J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006;229:1756-1760
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Exercises in canine physical rehabilitation: range of motion of the forelimb during stair and ramp ascent.

Summary:

To evaluate overall joint range of motion of the forelimb in healthy dogs ascending stairs compared with incline slope walking.

Conclusion:

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.

Author & Journal:Carr JG, et al, J Small Anim Pract 54(8):409-413, 2013
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Canine Hip Dysplasia: Reviewing the Evidence for Nonsurgical Management

Summary:

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.

Conclusion:

“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.”

Author & Journal:Shaw, Kristin Kirkby et al, Veterinary Surgery, 2012
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Pilot study measuring the effects of bandaging and cold compression therapy following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy.

Summary:

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.

Conclusion:

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.

Author & Journal:Kieves, NR, et al, J Small Anim Pract. 2016: 57(10): 543-547.
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Safety and functional outcomes associated with short-term rehabilitation therapy in the post-operative management of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.

Summary:

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.

Conclusion:

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.

Author & Journal:Romano LS, et al, Can Vet J 56:942-946, 2015
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A randomized blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on canine elbow osteoarthritis.

Summary:

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.

Conclusion:

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.

Author & Journal:Looney AL, et al, Can Vet J 2018 59(9):959-966
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Reliability of goniometry in Labrador Retrievers.

Summary:

To evaluate the reliability of goniometry by comparing goniometric measurements with radiographic measurements and evaluate the effects of sedation on range of joint motion.

Conclusion:

Goniometry is a reliable and objective method for determining range of motion of joints in healthy Labrador Retrievers.

Author & Journal:Jaegger G, et al, Am J Vet Res 63(7):979–986)
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Kinematic analysis of the pelvic limbs of healthy dogs during stair and decline slope walking.

Summary:

To evaluate range of motion (ROM) of the pelvic limb in healthy dogs descending stairs compared with decline slopewalking.

Conclusion:

Stair descent resulted in significantly greater femorotibial flexion and tibiotarsal flexion and extension compared with continuous slope descent. Significantly greater ROM was achieved in the coxofemoral, femorotibial and tibiotarsal joints during stairdescent.

Author & Journal:Millard RP, et al, J Small Anim Pract 51(8):419-422, 2010
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