Canine Sports Medicine and Common Conditions

Question 1

What are the usual goals for the common patients

Answer 1

Return to full function, QOL and pain reduction

Question 2

What is the difference between sports/agility patients and other patients?

Answer 2

They require everything a normal patient does and a return to full performance

Question 3

What history taking considerations are needed for sports athletes (4)

Answer 3

Age at which they started training- higher risk of injury if training before maturity
Gonadectomy status- predisposed to injury if neutered before puberty
Activity level- how often and how long
Diets and supplements

Question 4

What are the post surgical considerations to be considered? (5)

Answer 4

Cage confinement?
Current activity
Surgical date- phase of healing?
Current medication status- how much pain meds are they taking
Scheduled recheck with the surgeon?

Question 5

What are common soft tissue injuries from agility?

Answer 5

Shoulder, iliopsoas strains, and CCL

Question 6

T/F Rally injuries are not as common since it is a non-concussive sport

Answer 6

True

Question 7

What are the common obedience injuries

Answer 7

Shoulders- usually left due to chronic uneven weight distribution and head always looking to the right

Question 8

T/F Chronic repetitive stress injuries are common in flyball

Answer 8

True- Shoulder, carpus, iliopsoas, MSS, hip arthritis are the most common

Question 9

What are the common injuries from doc diving

Answer 9

Back pain and hips

Question 10

What are the common injuries from Field/hunt trials

Answer 10

Feet, carpus, and shoulders, arthritis, carpal hyperextension
Repetitive movement and injuries

Question 11

T/F service dogs often get similar injuries to working dogs

Answer 11

True- both are injured mainly related to overuse and repetitive stress or trauma.

Question 12

What does a femoral head and neck ostectomy do?

Answer 12

The femoral head and neck are removed. Creates a pseudoarthrosis (false joint) formed from fibrous tissues.

Question 13

What are the complications of a FHO

Answer 13

Incorrect ostectomy (bone on bone contact)- chronic pain and hard to rehab.

Question 14

What is the prognosis of a FHO

Answer 14

usually good- normal gaits and function are not achieved due to biomechnaimal changes, but they can return to daily function. Functional shortening of limb is expected.

Question 15

what are the rehab considerations for an FHO

Answer 15

Control pain- usually needs NSAIDs longer than most post op patients.
Maintain ROM- need to start immediately to prevent too much fibrosis. Need active stretching exercises.

Question 16

What is a total hip replacement (THR)

Answer 16

Salvage procedure- femoral head is removed and replaced with prosthesis and acetabulum is replaced. Eliminates joint associated pain.

Question 17

What are the THR rehab considerations

Answer 17

Prevent post-surgical luxation and promote tissue regeneration. No abduction/adduction, leg should only move in sagittal plane (flexion and extension)

Question 18

What are the phases of limb function rehab for THR

Answer 18

Week 2-10: limb placement- early limb use encouraged with gentle weight shifting
Week 10-12: begin limb strengthening.

Question 19

Where are the menisci of the stifle joint

Answer 19

Between the condyles of femur and tibia.
Medial meniscus- connected to tibia and medial collateral lig
Lateral meniscus- connected to tibia, allows for higher ROM

Question 20

What does the cranial crucitae ligament do?

Answer 20

prevents “Cranial drawer” or cranial displacement of tibia and internal rotation of tibia towards femur.

Question 21

What injuries can occur with the stifle?

Answer 21

CCL disease, deranged stifle, luxating patella

Question 22

What does a Lateral Fabellar Suture (LFS) prevent

Answer 22

Prevents cranial displacement of tibia
Extra info: It’s an Extra capsular stabilization technique that uses heavy gauge synthetic suture. Wraps around lateral fabella and through a hold in the tibia

Question 23

T/F the suture is the only thing holding the tibia in place long term after a LFS?

Answer 23

False- scar tissue with have occurred during recovery period and provide long term stabilization.

Question 24

What are some Rehab considerations after an LFS

Answer 24

Control inflammation with a TENS and massaage to reduce edema. PROM and therapeutic US should start on day 1 to improve ROM

Question 25

What does the timeline of a LFS rehab look like?

Answer 25

Day 1: PROM
Week 2: add in gentle passive stretching
Week 4-5: Add in more active ROM. Avoid extreme flexion and extension.
Phase 3: start doing more intense exercises.

Question 26

What do both TPLO and TTA do to the joints of patients?

Answer 26

They alter the biomechanics of the joint in order to provide dynamic stabilization.

Question 27

T/F you can use a TENS or laser directly over the joint after a TPLO and TTA

Answer 27

False- TENSE or laser should be avoided directly over the plate

Question 28

When can patients start underwater treadmill after a TPLO and TTA

Answer 28

As early as 2 weeks post-op