Osteoarthritis in Dogs

Canine Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) Osteoarthritis is also known as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) and is a result of chronic uncontrolled inflammation of joints. It characterised by chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints.

Affecting around 20% of dogs. OA it can be secondary to diseases such as hip / elbow dysplasia and trauma or it may be as a primary response to repeated impact to joints (i.e. wear and tear).

Degeneration of the joint

Osteoarthritis is more likely to be seen in overweight dogs as their joints are subject to more pressure.

Physiotherapy provides a holistic approach to osteoarthritis management utilising a combination of electrotherapy, exercise management programs, massage / stretching and joint supplements.

A Physiotherapy based approach

• Reduce pain
• Increase joint range-of-movement
• Improve the dogs muscle strength and endurance
• Enhance speed and quality of movement

Pain Reduction

This is achieved by a combination of regular electrotherapy treatments and joint mobility supplements. This is an important first step as reducing pain will make physiotherapy and exercise programs easier for the dog to tolerate.

Joint Supplements, What Do They Do?

A joint is composed of the outer fibrous capsule and inner synovial membrane. Good joint function requires the:

• Synovial fluid
• Articular cartilage
• Subchondral bone (lies below the cartilage)

to be operating in the normal state.

A normally functioning joint provides the normal gliding action, production of hyaluronic acid (cushioning and lubricant agent) and provides a mechanism for protecting the joint. As osteoarthritis progresses, subchondral bone becomes denser, which increases cartilage loading, resulting in damage.

This damage is characterised by:

1. Thickening of the joint capsule
2. Inflammation
3. Change in joint biomechanics
4. Reduction in protective mechanisms

Supplements improve or support the normal structure and function of the joint by:

• Providing pain relief (making patient more willing to exercise)
• Reduction of the degenerative and inflammatory enzymes (protecting cartilage)
• Stimulation of synovial fluid and collagen production

Electrotherapies, What Do They Do?

Electrotherapy promotes tissue repair by subjecting soft tissue and bone to controlled electromagnetic fields or low intensity pulsed currents. This improves the local blood supply / oxygen pressure thus stimulating repair.

Studies (1) into PEMF have shown improvements in joint range-of-movement, enabling better extensibility / elasticity and a release of associated tendons and ligaments. tightness and better flexibility. Electrostimulation (2) is recommended to reduce acute pain.

 

Increase Joint ROM, Muscle Strength and endurance

Massage is an excellent modality to break the pain – tension – pain cycle and complements the pain reduction recommendations laid out above.

• Accelerates muscle recovery
• Increases venous and lymphatic return
• Mobilises adhesions
• Promotes mental and physical relaxation

Stretching is recommended to improve ROM, reduce tightness in tendons and improve flexibility. This is also important for injury prevention.

Enhance speed and quality of movement

Simply increasing weight-bearing exercises will inevitably cause extra stress on joints. Therefore a combined daily calorie controlled dietary plan and exercise management program enhances yours dogs' reaction time and quality of movement.

(1) Iannitti, T. Fistetto, G. Esposito, A. Rottigni, V. Palmieri, B. (2013) Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for management of osteoarthritis-related pain, stiffness and physical function: clinical experience in the elderly. NCBI

(2) Hahm, T, S.  The Effect of 2 Hz and 100 Hz Electrical Stimulation of Acupoint on Ankle Sprain in Rats. J Korean Med Sci. 2007 Apr; 22(2): 347–351.Published online 2007 Apr 30. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2007.22.2.347 PMCID: PMC2693606

I am pleased to announce that I am now registered as a fully insured Veterinary Physiotherapist, PgD A. Phys.

I graduated in September with a Distinction. My dissertation was ‘Ultrasound and manual therapy in the treatment of canine hamstring tendinopathy’. I will publish this paper in early 2016.

I have also studied extensively on the use of long-wave ultrasound for the treatment of acute and chronic canine soft tissue injuries, PEMF as an alternative to electrical stimulation and varying the LASER frequencies for the treatment of soft tissue injuries.

Additionally I have been practicing in improving physical performance in agility dogs, iliopsoas, hamstring and shoulder strains in performance dogs and electrotherapy for the treatment of canine DJD (osteoarthritis).

I am now available for consultations and treatments. It is with great pleasure that I can now announce that I will practice at the Hawksmoor Hydrotherapy centre near Nuneaton. This is one of the best equipped physio and hydro centers in the UK and includes the latest ‘fitfurlife’ treadmill based gait analysis.

Our web page www.smartpawsphysio.com contains a menu of the treatments and programs available.
As an end note, this was a childhood passion to achieve this. I would like to thank my friends, fellow students & lecturers and especially my wife Jackie for their support in making this possible.

Patient Prospectus - Dissertation for Animal Physiotherapy

I am looking for 2 more Agility dogs to complete my case studies for my Animal Physiotherapy dissertation. Potential candidates will be typically competing and training regularly for at least 2 years (i.e. >3 years old). Recently retired Agility dogs can also be considered.

The dissertation is based on improving rear limb flexibility by treating the hamstring tendon(s) areas with a mixture of therapeutic ultrasound, massage and stretching. Dogs likely to have tension in the particular area of their hind limb may show reduced performance (i.e. loss of speed, increased tendency to knock poles or refusals).

Other factors may also influence these performance issues, so if you are interested I will perform a quick palpation of the upper hind limb area to understand if there is any tension in the tendon / pelvis area. 

If your furry friend does display symptoms conducive to treatment then the process will be:

1.    Obtain consent from your veterinary to be able to treat.

2.    Evaluation and first treatment session in Tamworth, Staffs. This will involve taking your dog’s case history, making some flexibility measurements and carrying out a visual gait analysis on a dry treadmill (will be videoed). This will last approximately and hour.

3.    The location of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th treatment sessions are more flexible but will require an area where it is quiet and undisturbed. Typically these sessions will take no longer than 30 minutes.

4.    The 5th session must be again in Tamworth for a final treadmill gait evaluation, which again will take up to an hour.

The minimum time the 5 sessions will take is 2 weeks from first to last. The maximum will be 2 months. Any assessment, treatment and recommendations will be treated in the strictest confidence. Final results are published anonymously.

If you are interested please contact me direct at:

alan@smartpawsdogagility.com