Rehabilitation

Question 1

What are the aims of rehabilitation?

Answer 1

Restoring maximum function, quality of life and independence following injury or illness.

To limit pain and build muscles.

Reduce recovery times.

Question 2

What are 4 types of rehabilitation?

Answer 2

Physiotherapy
Acupuncture
Hydrotherapy
McTimoney

Question 3

What is the aim of acupuncture?

Answer 3

To promote natural body healing

Question 4

What method is used for acupuncture?

Answer 4

Insertion of special needles into acupoints which are rich in nerve endings and blood vessels.

Question 5

What are the effects of acupuncture?

Answer 5

Enhances blood circulation & tissue blood flow/oxygenation and removal of waste products/toxins

Stimulates the nervous system

Reduces swelling

Relieves pain

Encourages healing by correcting energy imbalances in the body

Relaxes muscles

Question 6

What is hydrotherapy?

Answer 6

Controlled exercise in water.
Zero or low impact.
Non weight bearing or controlled bearing exercise.
Therapeutic water.

Question 7

What are the benefits of hydrotherapy?

Answer 7

• Relieves pain
• Improved cardiovascular fitness
• Increased mental stimulation
• Reduction from swelling and stiffness
• Muscle strength
• Joint stabilisation
• Improved gait pattern

Question 8

What conditions are suitable for hydrotherapy?

Answer 8

• Pre and post orthopaedic and spinal surgery
• Orthopaedic conditions/diseases
• Neurological conditions
• Muscle atrophy
• Obesity management

Question 9

What are contraindications of hydrotherapy?

Answer 9

Cardiac Dysfunction –due to overheating

Respiratory Dysfunction – due to increased effort to breath with hydrostatic pressure

Infections

Unstable fractures – must be fully healed before Hydro

Vomiting/Diarrhoea

Question 10

What is McTimoney?

Answer 10

Animal manipulation therapy is a gentle hands-on technique used to realign and balance the musculoskeletal system.

Precise and rapid adjustments to correct misalignments of the spine and pelvis, restoring full range of motion within the joints and relieving associated muscle spasms.

Question 11

What conditions can benefit from McTimoney?

Answer 11

Post orthopaedic surgery
Injured/accident
Working/competing dogs – greyhounds, flyball
Mobility issues – conformation defects, obese

Others:
- lameness
- reluctance to exercise
- uneven gait
- changes in performance, behaviour or temperament
- stiffness or pain after exercise
- uneven muscle development
- signs of discomfort when their back is touched

Question 12

What patients are suitable for physiotherapy?

Answer 12

Geriatrics
Post operative recovery
Stable post injury

Question 13

What patients are NOT suitable for physiotherapy?

Answer 13

Pyrexia
Infection
Vascular compromise/coagulopathy
New/Unstable Fracture
Spinal Instability

Question 14

What is the aim of physiotherapy?

Answer 14

Aims to maximise an individual’s ability to move and function.
Promotes, maintains, and restores physical, psychological and social well-being.

Question 15

What are the benefits of physiotherapy?

Answer 15

Promote healing
Alter blood flow
Decrease pain
Increase mobility
Improve fitness
Restore muscle balance

Question 16

What are some physio techniques for the RVN?

Answer 16

Thermotherapy
Massage
Therapeutic Exercises – passive and active
Laser therapy
Electrical Stimulation
Therapeutic ultrasound
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)

Question 17

What is thermotherapy?

Answer 17

The therapeutic application of a substance to add heat to the body therefore increasing the tissue temperature.

Question 18

What are the effects of thermotherapy?

Answer 18

Increase tissue temperature
Increase blood flow by vasodilation
Increase metabolism
Increase connective tissue extensibility
Decrease sensation of pain

Question 19

What applications can be used for thermotherapy?

Answer 19

Heat packs, Hydrotherapy, Ultrasound, Heat Lamp, Lasers.

Question 20

What conditions would benefit from hot thermotherapy?

Answer 20

Chronic pain
Relaxes tense muscle
Aches
Arthritis

Question 21

What is Cryotherapy?

Answer 21

The Therapeutic application of a substance to the body which removes heat resulting in decreased tissue temperature.

Question 22

What are the effects of cryotherapy?

Answer 22

Decreased tissue blood flow by vasoconstriction
Decreased tissue metabolism
Decreased Oxygen Metabolism
Decreased inflammation
Decreased muscle spasm
Increased pain threshold
Provides analgesic effect

Question 23

What applications can be used for cryotherapy?

Answer 23

Ice packs
Ice massage
Cold compression unit

Question 24

What patients are suitable for cryotherapy?

Answer 24

Post surgery
Post injury

Question 25

What are the benefits of massage?

Answer 25

Increase lymphatic flow Increase blood flow Break down muscle adhesions Aid in recovery post exercise Calming effect

Question 26

What patients can benefit from massage?

Answer 26

- Athletic patients – very common in the human field! - Anything in need of some TLC – endorphins, pain relief!! - Conformation/movement issues - Injuries or wounds (be wary!) - aids healing, reduce swelling

Question 27

What massage techniques are used?

Answer 27

Stroking Effleurage Petrissage Frictions

Question 28

What is 'stroking' massage technique?

Answer 28

Long, slow, gliding strokes – aids circulation and lymphatic flow, stimulates sensation

Question 29

What is 'effleurage' massage technique?

Answer 29

Firm stroking movements up towards lymph nodes – aids lymphatic flow, reduces oedema

Question 30

What is 'petrissage' massage technique?

Answer 30

Kneading, picking up, rolling and compressions – mobilises soft tissues, enhances deeper circulation and aids toxin removal.

Question 31

What is 'frictions' massage technique?

Answer 31

Deep transverse massage with fingertips – breaks down adhesions and improves fibre alignment.

Question 32

What is passive range of motion?

Answer 32

Moving of the patient’s limbs (joints) through range of motion for them. This is carried out by gently flexing and extending the joint through the full available range, stopping when meets resistance.

Question 33

What are the benefits of passive range of motion?

Answer 33

Maintains/improves range of motion Maintains tissue length Maintains joint health Reduces Pain Reduces stiffness Aids reduction of swelling

Question 34

What are the indications for a patient to do passive range of motions?

Answer 34

Post surgery to main range of motion at affected and proximal and distal joints – can start day after surgery Improve range of motion in a restricted joint e.g. arthritis Encourage sensory output Encourage circulation and the reduction of oedema

Question 35

What is stretching and how is it performed?

Answer 35

Targets soft tissue. Carried out by firm but non-gripping hand holding of limb. Extend the limb to the comfortable end of range. Sustain the stretch at the end of range for 15 seconds. Repeat 3 times. If too uncomfortable ease off a bit

Question 36

What are the benefits of stretching?

Answer 36

It improves soft tissue Improves soft tissue length Improves soft tissue extensibility Improves range of motion Improves blood flow Aids the removal of lactic acid Prevents contractures and soft tissue shortening

Question 37

What are the indications a patient would benefit from stretching?

Answer 37

When muscles are tight After exercise When an animal has been immobile When soft tissue is restricting joint motion

Question 38

What are some assisted therapeutic exercises?

Answer 38

Assisted standing Weight shifting Wobble boards/ physio balls

Question 39

What are some active therapeutic exercises?

Answer 39

Supported walking Sit-to-stand Wheel barrowing/dancing Poles

Question 40

What is laser therapy?

Answer 40

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

Question 41

What are the benefits of laser therapy?

Answer 41

Reduces inflammation Reduces pain by increasing endogenous opioid production Blood flow is improved in the area allowing the regeneration of cells – increases healing Helps the regeneration of articular cartilage with the hope of having a more lubricated joint.

Question 42

What conditions can laser therapy help?

Answer 42

Wounds Injuries Pre/post surgery Neurological conditions Skin conditions Pain management

Question 43

What rehabilitation techniques can RVN's use?

Answer 43

Thermotherapy Massage Therapeutic Exercises – passive and active Laser therapy Electrical Stimulation Therapeutic ultrasound Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)