Laurie's Blogs.
May 2016
Slow to Progress Post-Op Stifle
Hi There!
I posted on the forum about a cruciate repair that just won't straighten out for me despite diligent TherEx and proper restrictions. Hip xrays were good going into the surgery and the repair is stable. I just feel like I am missing something obvious and am looking for advice. I attached the video below for your viewing pleasure! I included myself on the email to make sure it went through.
Sorry to email you, I know you are trying to simplify things with the forum!
Enjoy your day (and thanks for being here),
MC
-- -- -- --
Hi!
So in checking out the video, I have questions:
What kind of surgery was done?
Does the dog have full ROM?
Any issues in any other joints?
How is and was the pain control for the dog now & post-operatively?
Do any of these things need to be addressed?
Really, to me, it just looks like the dog needs more targeted strengthening. I’d do e-stim with timed 3-leg standing, and 3-leg standing and theraband pulls on the affected leg in different directions. I’d try bandaging the legs into MORE external rotation and walking the dog for 5 minutes with the bandage on, then 5 with it off, to ‘prime’ the leg to turn inwards (i.e. muscles fight against the exaggerated external rotation caused by the bandage.). Try some ½ distance sit to stands (onto a stool). Can you walk her on a treadmill and use theraband resistance around the surgical leg… perhaps trying to pull it from each diagonal? Can you walk her backwards on the treadmill? Try a 3-leg stand and when the you have the non-surgical leg off the ground back behind the dog, pull on his toes so that he resists and pulls it forwards (the other leg has to stabilize substantially during that exercise).
And what kinds of therapeutic exercises have you done?
Okay so that’s off the top of my head. She just looks weak to me (unless you tell me that you find some other issue when you recheck)!
Cheers!
Laurie
