Re: physio

Malcolm Ness — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:28:45 GMT

I can't comment on the specifics of this case but a few general observations.

Over the years we have done +/- 3500 TPLOs. During much of that time we had a dual qualified (vet and human) physiotherapist working with us and TPLO was not something that she was much involved with. In our hands, the majority of TPLO cases are weight-bearing quite confidently on the limb within hours or a few days of surgery and by check X rays at six weeks we would expect very confident weight bearing with an imminent return to full activity. Our post op protocol involves NSAIDs for 4-6 weeks and the owners encouraged to give the dog initially short frequent leash walks but by 2 weeks, unlimited leash walking. Free running exercise starts immediately after 6 week rads. In general, our view with TPLO and other mechanical modification surgery for cruciates, is that if you do a good job of the surgery the case will do well and if you don't then it probably won't and no amount of physio will turn a bad case good.

Physiotherapy, in our parlance indicates care under the direction of a trained, qualified physiotherapist. Hydrotherapy is usually a bulldust term for expensive swimming. Physiotherapists will sometimes use water-treadmills and free swimming as part of their therapy - our physio uses these relatively infrequently.

We recognise most benefit from the involvement of a physio in articular fractures, joint replacements, chronic OA cases and in slow-recovering spinal cases where good physio seems to speed the return to function.

Re: physio

Rob Loxley — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:49:06 GMT

[quote user="patrick murphy"] if we send swimming and something goes wrong, I do not think that he will be real happy[/quote]

Agreed: I'd say that if you've referred him somewhere else for treatment, then following their postop instructions form part of this. However there's more to postop physio than just hydrotherapy...