What is physical rehabilitation?
Physical rehabilitation is the use of physical modalities in conjunction with therapeutic exercise to improve the recovery of patients from surgical conditions and injury.

What is the goal of canine physical rehabilitation?
The goal is to take a patient with reduced function and return it to peak performance.

What kinds of dogs benefit from the application of physical rehabilitation?
Physical rehabilitation benefits all breeds of dogs, including working, and non-working dogs. Dogs suffering from arthritis, or recovering from surgery or injury, can be returned to a more healthy state.

Does a dog's age affect the outcome of physical rehabilitation?
A dog's age does not affect the outcome of physical therapy. All dogs will have increased range of motion in affected limbs after rehabilitation. Senior dogs with arthritis will also benefit.

What dogs do not benefit from physical rehabilitation?
A veterinarian may not recommend physical rehabilitation for conditions such as congestive heart failure, enlarged heart, epilepsy, diabetes, bleeding, and/or asthma.

Specifically, what surgeries or injuries benefit from physical rehabilitation?
Any form of musculoskeletal surgery can benefit from rehabilitation postoperatively. Orthopedic injuries and conditions, such as cruciate ligament injuries, hip and elbow dysplasia, fractures, and severe muscle injuries will also benefit.

Following surgery, when should physical rehabilitation begin?
Physical rehabilitation should begin immediately after surgery, beginning with icing inflamed tissues, and in the following days, incorporating passive range of motion, electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy, and massage therapy. Hydrotherapy is begun after suture removal.

Following surgery, how does physical rehabilitation treatment progress?
Following surgery, rehabilitation continues when the patient returns home, by providing owner education in the aftercare of the surgery, which may include icing, passive range of motion, and turning or changing the position of the dog if it is laying down for long periods. Following suture removal, further rehabilitation such as hydrotherapy can begin.

Are there conditions where it is preferable to do physical rehabilitation without surgery?
Conditions where physical rehabilitation is beneficial without surgery include arthritis and degenerative joint disease, inactive dogs with decreased range of motion, and older dogs, which cannot safely undergo anesthesia.

What contribution does the owner make in the physical rehabilitation process?
The owner's involvement is important to make their dog feel more comfortable during rehabilitation, as well as in between rehabilitation sessions, to performing stretches and exercises at home.

What is the time frame for a physical rehabilitation session?
The physical rehabilitation session will last approximately a half an hour. It may be longer or shorter depending on the individual case.

Is canine physical rehabilitation treatment protocol standardized, or does it vary depending on the individual case?
Treatment protocols for certain conditions are relatively standard, however, all dogs are individuals, and therefore, therapeutic exercises will differ, as well as time for full recovery.

What are ranges of motion exercise techniques?
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 dog is feeling, as well as its progress.

How is the underwater treadmill beneficial?
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.

How is swimming beneficial?
Swimming is beneficial because it is the only form of exercise in which there is no impact on joints and soft tissues. The buoyancy of the water opens joint spaces, increasing range of motion up to 90%, and provides resistance, allowing all major muscle groups to be worked at the same time.

What is therapeutic ultrasound?
Therapeutic ultrasound is a deep tissue heating agent which produces temperature changes as deep as five centimeters without heating the surface tissues of the skin. Ultrasound is used to speed wound healing, increase range of motion, and relax muscle spasms.

What is electrical stimulation?
Electrical stimulation is used for pain management and increasing muscle tone by applying electrodes to the skin, which deliver low voltage intermittent stimulation to the surface nerves of the skin. Transmission of pain signals are blocked by the release of endorphins to allow healing.

What is pulsed magnetic field therapy?
Pulsed magnetic field therapy applies a magnetic field to the cells, which sends a signal that influences the interaction of ions which have a natural electric current flowing through them. These signals initiate biologic reactions which accelerate healing. PMFT is applied with the use of a jacket, which allows the dog to sit, stand, walk, or lie down while receiving therapy.

What does laser therapy do?
Laser therapy improves wound healing, increases blood flow, and simulates the body's release of pain killers by stimulating tissues and increasing cellular energy with infrared light.