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Saturday 14 May 2016

The Power of a Collaborative Approach to Canine Physiotherapy

The Power of a Collaborative Approach to Canine Physiotherapy

My client was presented to me some 3 months ago as a direct veterinary practice referral.  The Vet explained that the dog had HD in the RH hip and was in discussion with the client about conservative or surgical management. 

However there was an added complication...

This active dog had also strained the iliopsoas muscle on the same side as the HD issue. ROM was limited and in some planes of movement painful. The veterinary suggested a course of physiotherapy to reduce the muscle inflammation and corresponding pain and loss of movement.

I was contacted by the vet directly and offered a full case history and the opportunity to help in this interesting case. Following treatment the practice team could then make a better conservative or surgery decision for the HD.

Physiotherapy

We started with a gait analysis on the Gait4Life (fitfurlife) treadmill and full palpation. The data from these evaluations would allow us to both understand exactly where on the muscle group the diagnosed issue was and if there were any resulting compensatory problems.



The gait analysis confirmed less weight bearing on the R H/L and increased muscle tension on L H/L and R F/L. Palpation revealed scar tissue on the iliopsoas muscle. 

We embarked on a course of therapeutic ultrasound, deep friction massage and stretching. With the owner also carrying out a daily ROM and eventually muscle strengthening home exercise program.

Additionally we applied LASER, massage and ROM to the R hip to relieve muscle tension and any potential OA issues.. Also light massage was applied to reduce compensatory muscle tension in the other limbs.

And the Results?

Well I leave that to an (edited) memo direct from the veterinary practice:

Hi Alan

We were absolutely delighted by progress since the last visit to me. 

X has only been given nsaids on 3 occasions which is a good improvement on before. On palpation of the iliopsoas muscle no pain was elicited although a small swelling was still evident when compared to her left leg. 

The range of motion in her hip joint has massively increased especially on extension. At no point during the ortho exam did she seem uncomfortable whereas she has done previously and gait was good,

 I am very keen to continue with conservative  management and on discussion so are the owners. They are keen to come back to yourself for ongoing therapy for a few sessions to really change her muscle memory and make sure she doesn't slip back into her old gait.
 

Many thanks,

XXXXX  BVetMed(hons) MRCVS

IR Video of Treadmill Active Rehabilitation Session  










 

Saturday 6 February 2016

Job Satisfaction

After qualifying as an animal physio last autumn, I started to practice in December. Naturally that means that some of my initial clients are in the, what I call, the 'polishing' stage of their rehab. 

I am so pleased with their progress, with my clients putting in the 'hard yards' at home working through their exercises coupled with using the various electrotherapies they have rented or purchased themselves. 

It is a vindication of physiotherapy as a practice and our training that we have been able to focus on specific chronic / long term injuries and now start to see the progress.

Today is a great example. I first saw (a still young), handsome  show dog with intermittent forelimb lameness and typical stiffness / tension in the opposing ftront limb. When the owner said today that their dog hasn't limped for a week, it gave me immense job satisfaction. 

It wasn't easy and we had to really refine the therapies and sessions, but knowing this dog will be able to show at Crufts makes a few sleepless nights synthesizing the sessions and data to get this successful plan of action worthwhile.

If I could define why I started this journey some 5 years ago its just that. We spend hundreds of hours training and trialling our dogs, why should a soft tissue injury end that enjoyment?