The goal of rehabilitation is to restore a patient’s maximum functional capacity, as permitted by the integrity and performance of tissues and structures.
The overall aim of rehabilitation of your pet is to decrease pain, to facilitate tissue healing, to restore muscle strength, endurance and proprioception, to prevent further injury, and to return a patient to its former level of activity and fitness.
Rehabilitation of your pet is often used as part of the aftercare for orthopaedic and neurological surgery cases, but can also be for treatment and management of injuries, both of bony or soft tissue origin. Furthermore, we sometimes use rehabilitation techniques for fitness and strength development in canine athletes, e.g. for sporting dogs such as agility and field trial dogs, among many others.
Consultations include an initial evaluation which tends to be between 60-90 minutes in duration.
This will consist of a full physical orthopaedic and neurological examination, including the assessment of stance and gait, the measurement of joint angles and muscle mass, weight and body condition, and, in some cases, specific tests developed to assess particular conditions. It may also include the taking of photographs and video footage, to aid in the detection of certain problems.
After a full assessment, a specific programme is designed for individual patients, rather than producing a ‘cook book’ programme for a particular condition, as all patients differ in their individual factors. A treatment programme is designed, taking into consideration goals set for progression for that patient. This will then be reviewed at regular intervals and adapted where necessary to ensure that the goals are being met. Treatment will vary. This can consist of manual techniques, therapeutic modalities and a home exercise programme.
We can also use acupuncture, medical management and hydrotherapy, and we may give dietary and nutritional advice. Different modalities may be used during different stages of the recovery process, which will be based on the individual patient’s condition, progress and aims.
Manual therapies may include massage techniques, joint mobilisations, passive range of motion exercises, trigger point release as an example. Therapeutic modalities include LASER treatment, TENS/NMES treatment, cryotherapy, Therapeutic Ultrasound treatment and Hydrotherapy.
A Home Exercise Programme is beneficial for patients receiving rehabilitation treatment and will be designed to complement treatment plans. This may include cavaletti walking, three legged stances, hill walking, balance cushions and boards, sit-to-stand exercises as an example.
Our Physiotherapy sessions cost £47 per session.
To book an appointment or to discuss Rehabilitation & Physiotherapy further, please contact us on 01483 455355.
