The Role of Physical Therapy in Pet Rehabilitation

 

Physical Therapy (PT) is a health profession that utilizes the application of scientific principles for the identification, prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute or prolonged physical dysfunction thereby promoting optimal health and function. (Massachusetts General Laws-Chapter 112, Section 23A)

 

PT has long been proven beneficial and often necessary for complete recovery in human conditions. The same benefits have recently been evidenced when PT is applied to the animal population. This new and rapidly growing field of animal rehabilitation offers pet owners and veterinarians additional treatment options.

 

The physical therapy process consists of the following elements when managing a patient, whether human or animal:

·         Examination - history, baseline tests and measures, systems review

·         Evaluation - clinical judgments based on the examination findings (assessment)

·         PT diagnosis - problem list of neuromuscular deficiencies

·         Prognosis - expected outcome and recovery time

·         Intervention - actual treatments rendered and education provided

 

The types of dogs that will benefit from physical therapy are vast. Any dog that has suffered an injury, is slowing down due to age or deconditioning, is diagnosed with an orthopedic or neurological disease, or has had surgical intervention to treat these types of problems is an excellent candidate for physical therapy intervention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candidates range from:

·         The puppy with a congenital (genetic) disorder

·         The canine athlete that needs to maintain that competitive edge

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·         The working dog that desires to get back in the field whether it’s police work, search and rescue, or service for persons with disabilities

·         The senior dog just trying to maintain functional independence such as negotiating stairs within the home or going outside to the bathroom

 

Common Diagnoses treated with physical therapy include, but are not limited to, the following:

Neurological

·         Nerve damage

·         Intervertebral disk disease (cervical, thoracolumbar, lumbosacral)

·         Lumbosacral syndrome/cauda equine syndrome/lumbar stenosis/lumbar instability

·         Degenerative myelopathy (DM)

·         Fibrocartilagenous emboli (FCE)

·         "Wobbler" syndrome

·         Lower motor neuron conditions

·         The physical symptoms associated with inflammatory and other medical conditions

 

Orthopedic

·         Osteoarthritis and other arthritic conditions

·         Hip and elbow dysplasia

·         Ligament sprains or tears e.g., cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) of the knee

·         Tendonitis, tenosynovitis, tendon ruptures, and tendon lacerations

·         Muscle injuries including strains, tears, contractures, and fibrosis

·         Patellar luxations

·         Fractures

·         Hyperextension injuries

·         Joint dislocations

·         Disk disease

·         Peripheral nerve damage due to trauma

·         Post-amputation

·         Obesity

 

An animal that has had surgery to treat any of the above conditions is a candidate for physical rehabilitation. Typically, the sooner rehabilitation begins post-operatively, the better the outcome.