Physical Rehabilitation

Physical rehabilitation improves the recovery of pets from surgical conditions and injury by the use of physical modalities in conjunction with therapeutic exercise. This is analogous to “physical therapy” in humans, but due to legal requirements, the phrase “physical therapy” may only be applied to people.

The goal of physical rehabilitation is to help numerous pets both after surgery and with chronic conditions. The outcome of any form of musculoskeletal surgery can be optimized with rehabilitation postoperatively. Common surgeries for which the application of physical rehabilitation is useful include:

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury and Surgical Stabilization

• In physical rehabilitation, we focus on restoring normal joint motion, particularly extension, through therapeutic exercises that stimulate limb use, leading to muscle strengthening and avoiding chronic weight shift.

Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO)

• In physical rehabilitation after FHO we aim at keeping the “false” joint comfortable after surgery by promoting hip extension through therapeutic exercises that stimulate limb use, leading to muscle strengthening and avoiding chronic weight shift.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

• In physical rehabilitation after surgery for IVDD we focus on developing proprioception (sense of space and balance) in the affected limbs and stimulating limb use even in the face of neurologic compromise. This will increase muscle strengthening and maintain joint health during the neurologic recovery process.

Patellar Luxation (Knee Cap Dislocation) Repair

• In physical rehabilitation after the stabilization of patellar luxations we want to protect the surgical repair while promoting normal joint motion (i.e. maintain normal patellar tracking and decrease pain in the operated joint).

Elbow Arthroscopy for Elbow Dysplasia

• In physical rehabilitation we aim to maintain range of motion of the elbow joint and strengthen muscle to increase comfort in the joint and slow the progress of osteoarthritis over time.

Having you pet undergo physical rehabilitation can also help manage more chronic conditions--such as osteoarthrtitis--by increasing comfort while strengthening muscle mass and assisting with weight loss if indicated. This helps increase your pet’s overall fitness and strength, thereby decreasing their joint pain and improving their quality of life.

Following surgery, we will often begin physical rehabilitation when the patient returns home by providing client education in the aftercare instructions pertaining to the surgery, which may include icing, passive range of motion, and turning or changing the position of your pet if they are laying down for long periods. At the time of suture removal or later progress evaluation visits, further rehabilitation recommendations can be made. The initial “official” consultation appointment for physical rehabilitation is often made at the time of suture removal.

During the evaluation, we will review your pet's history.  We will do a general exam, a musculo-skeletal exam (checking each muscle and joint from toes to shoulder, toes to hip, and down the back), and a neurological exam.  We will also evaluate range of motion, gait, weight bearing, and muscle girth.  Following the exams, we will integrate all the information and develop a comprehensive treatment plan.  Our treatment plan will be developed from a combination of our assessments, your goals for rehabilitation (i.e. return to the agility circuit vs. being able to get up on the couch), and other considerations you may have (such as time available to devote to rehabilitation). 

Treatment protocols for certain conditions are relatively standard, however, all pets are individuals and therefore therapeutic exercises will differ, as well as time for full recovery. So on a case by case basis, we must develop a therapy plan individualized for your pet that is also convenient for you to follow.

Your involvement is important to make your pet feel more comfortable during rehabilitation sessions at our clinic, and your participation is necessary in the home environment to keep the rehabilitation process moving forward by performing stretches and exercises. Not only are you allowed to be with your pet during the rehabilitation session, we encourage it!  When an animal is feeling discomfort, the encouragement and concern that you show towards your pet are critical to their rehabilitation. 

Physical Rehabilitation Modalities Available:

Underwater Treadmill

• The underwater treadmill has the same benefits as a regular treadmill, but without the concussion. The added resistance of the water helps to increase muscle tone and body awareness. Pets not able to ambulate on land can often times do so on the treadmill by encouraging development of foot placement and muscle strength. Unfortunately we cannot allow incontinent patients or patients with healing wounds in the treadmill for health reasons. 

Neuromuscular stimulation

• Electrical stimulation is used for increasing muscle tone by applying electrodes to the skin, which deliver low voltage intermittent stimulation to the motor nerves of the muscles causing mild contractions.

Stretching/Passive range of motion (PROM) exercises

• Range of motion is the degree of flexion and extension in a joint. When performing range of motion techniques, the limb is stretched to the point where there is resistance. This technique allows the therapist to measure the level of discomfort the patient is feeling, as well as their progress. We can also stretch muscles that are tight and perform joint mobilizations, all designed to improve movement of the joints and limbs.

Proprioceptive training

• This involves various exercises to encourage appropriate weight distribution and weight shifting onto the limbs, as well as proper placement of the paws. Many different balancing techniques can be applied during the rehabilitation visit and at home.

Home exercise program