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Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation of dogs with surgically treated cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifles by use of electrical stimulation of muscles.

Summary:

To determine effect of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on rate and degree of return to function of the limb and development of degenerative joint disease (DJD) after surgical creation and subsequent stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament(CrCL)-deficient stifle.

Conclusion:

Improved lameness scores, larger thigh circumference, and decreased radiographically apparent bony changes observed for the treated group of dogs support the hypothesis that dogs treated by EMS after surgical stabilization of the CrCL-deficientstifle had improved limb function, with less DJD, than did dogs treated with the currently accepted clinical protocol of cage rest and slow return to normal activity. However, results of force plate evaluation did not support the hypothesis. Increased meniscal damage in dogstreated by EMS may be cause for concern.

Author & Journal:Johnson JM, et al, Am J Vet Res 58:1473-1478, 1997
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The role of exercise and physical modalities in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Summary:

Physical rehabilitation is a valuable and often underutilized part of the overall management of small animals with OA. A team consisting of the veterinarian, physical therapist, veterinary technician, and owner is vital to determine and carry out an appropriate therapeutic regimen.

Conclusion:

To maintain enthusiasm for the program, measurements should be regularly obtained to document progress. In addition, controlled studies should be performed to determine the degree of improvement that may be expected with physical rehabilitationprograms.

Author & Journal:Millis DL, et al, Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 27(4):913-930, 1997
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Kinematic analysis of the hind limb during swimming and walking in healthy dogs and dogs with surgically corrected cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

Summary:

To determine hip, stifle, and tarsal joint ranges of motion (ROM) and angular velocities during swimming and walking in healthy dogs and dogs with surgically corrected cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture.

Conclusion:

Results suggested that following surgical management of a ruptured CCL in dogs, swimming resulted in greater ROM of the stifle and tarsal joints than did walking. This suggests that if ROM is a factor in the rate or extent of return to function in these dogs, then aquatic rehabilitation would likely result in a better overall outcome than walking alone.

Author & Journal:Marsolais GS, et al, J Am Vet Med Assoc 222(6):739-743, 2003
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Effect of Pulsing in Low-Level Light Therapy

Summary:

Low level light (or laser) therapy (LLLT) is a rapidly growing modality used in physical therapy, chiropractic, sports medicine and increasingly in mainstream medicine. LLLT is used to increase wound healing and tissue regeneration, to relieve pain and inflammation, to prevent tissue death, to mitigate degeneration in many neurological indications. While some agreement has emerged on the best wavelengths of light and a range of acceptable dosages to be used (irradiance and fluence), there is no agreement on whether continuous wave or pulsed light is best and on what factors govern the pulse parameters to be chosen.

Conclusion:

There is some evidence that pulsed light does have effects that are different from those of continuous wave light. However further work is needed to define these effects for different disease conditions and pulse structures.

Author & Journal:Hashmi JT, et al, Lasers Surg Med 2010;42:450-466
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Extracorporeal shock wave therapy improves short-term limb use after canine tibial plateau leveling osteotomy

Summary:

To determine the influence of postoperative extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on hind limb use after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).

Conclusion:

CONCLUSION:
Weight bearing increased faster after TPLO in dogs treated with postoperative ESWT.

RESULTS: The PVF (5.5 ± 1.0 N/kg, mean ± SD) and VI (0.67 ± 0.14 N-s/kg) of surgically treated limbs in the ESWT cohort were higher 8 weeks after surgery compared with preoperative (3.8 ± 1.1 N/kg, P < .0001 and 0.47 ± 0.21 N-s/kg, P = .0012, respectively) values. In the control cohort, PVF (2.9 ± 1.3 N/kg, P = .0001) and VI (0.33 ± 0.20 N-s/kg, P = .0003) 2 weeks after surgery and VI (0.42 ± 0.2 N-s/kg, P = .0012) 8 weeks after surgery were lower (4.59 ± 2.33 N/kg and 0.592 ± 0.35 N-s/kg, respectively) than before surgery. Other parameters did not differ between groups.

Author & Journal:Barnes, Kate et al, Vet Surg. 2019 Aug 30. doi: 10.1111/vsu.13320
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Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of chronic tendinopathies.

Summary:

Many clinical trials have evaluated the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for treating patients with chronic tendinosis of the supraspinatus, lateral epicondylitis, and plantar fasciitis. Although extracorporeal shock wave therapy has been reported to be effective in some trials, in others it was no more effective than placebo. The multiple variables associated with this therapy, such as the amount of energy delivered, the method of focusing the shock waves, frequency and timing of delivery, and whether or not anesthetics are used, makes comparing clinical trials difficult. Calcific tendinosis of the supraspinatus and plantar fasciitis have been successfully managed with extracorporeal shock wave therapy when nonsurgical management has failed.

Conclusion:

Results have been mixed in the management of lateral epicondylitis, however, and this therapy has not been effective in managing noncalcific tendinosis of the supraspinatus. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has consistently been more effective with patient feedback, which enables directing the shock waves to the most painful area (clinical focusing), rather than with anatomic or image-guided focusing, which are used to direct the shock waveto an anatomic landmark or structure.

Author & Journal:Sems A, et al, J Am Acad Orthop Surg 14:195-204, 2006
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Emerging modalities in veterinary rehabilitation.

Summary:

Many new modalities have been introduced in human and veterinary physical rehabilitation. In many instances, there is sound theory of how they may impact the physiology of various cells, tissues, or organs.

Conclusion:

This article reviews some of the modalities that have been introduced recently in human and veterinary rehabilitation. Topics include low-level laser, phototherapy, and extracorporeal shock wave treatment.

Author & Journal:Millis DL, et al, Vet Clin Small Anim 35:1335-1355, 2005
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Kinematics of stair ascent in healthy dogs.

Summary:

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the kinematic characteristics of pelvic limb joints in orthopaedically normal dogsduring stair ascent.

Conclusion:

All joints of the pelvic limb undergo a greater joint motion to ascend stairs.

Author & Journal:Durant AM, et al, Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 24(2):99-105, 2011
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