Rehabilitation Flashcards
What are the aims of rehabilitation?
Restoring maximum function, quality of life and independence following injury or illness.
To limit pain and build muscles.
Reduce recovery times.
What are 4 types of rehabilitation?
Physiotherapy
Acupuncture
Hydrotherapy
McTimoney
What is the aim of acupuncture?
To promote natural body healing
What method is used for acupuncture?
Insertion of special needles into acupoints which are rich in nerve endings and blood vessels.
What are the effects of acupuncture?
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
What is hydrotherapy?
Controlled exercise in water.
Zero or low impact.
Non weight bearing or controlled bearing exercise.
Therapeutic water.
What are the benefits of hydrotherapy?
- Relieves pain
- Improved cardiovascular fitness
- Increased mental stimulation
- Reduction from swelling and stiffness
- Muscle strength
- Joint stabilisation
- Improved gait pattern
What conditions are suitable for hydrotherapy?
- Pre and post orthopaedic and spinal surgery
- Orthopaedic conditions/diseases
- Neurological conditions
- Muscle atrophy
- Obesity management
What are contraindications of hydrotherapy?
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
What is McTimoney?
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.
What conditions can benefit from McTimoney?
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
What patients are suitable for physiotherapy?
Geriatrics
Post operative recovery
Stable post injury
What patients are NOT suitable for physiotherapy?
Pyrexia
Infection
Vascular compromise/coagulopathy
New/Unstable Fracture
Spinal Instability
What is the aim of physiotherapy?
Aims to maximise an individual’s ability to move and function.
Promotes, maintains, and restores physical, psychological and social well-being.
What are the benefits of physiotherapy?
Promote healing
Alter blood flow
Decrease pain
Increase mobility
Improve fitness
Restore muscle balance
What are some physio techniques for the RVN?
Thermotherapy
Massage
Therapeutic Exercises – passive and active
Laser therapy
Electrical Stimulation
Therapeutic ultrasound
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)
What is thermotherapy?
The therapeutic application of a substance to add heat to the body therefore increasing the tissue temperature.
What are the effects of thermotherapy?
Increase tissue temperature
Increase blood flow by vasodilation
Increase metabolism
Increase connective tissue extensibility
Decrease sensation of pain
What applications can be used for thermotherapy?
Heat packs, Hydrotherapy, Ultrasound, Heat Lamp, Lasers.
What conditions would benefit from hot thermotherapy?
Chronic pain
Relaxes tense muscle
Aches
Arthritis
What is Cryotherapy?
The Therapeutic application of a substance to the body which removes heat resulting in decreased tissue temperature.
What are the effects of cryotherapy?
Decreased tissue blood flow by vasoconstriction
Decreased tissue metabolism
Decreased Oxygen Metabolism
Decreased inflammation
Decreased muscle spasm
Increased pain threshold
Provides analgesic effect
What applications can be used for cryotherapy?
Ice packs
Ice massage
Cold compression unit
What patients are suitable for cryotherapy?
Post surgery
Post injury
What are the benefits of massage?
Increase lymphatic flow
Increase blood flow
Break down muscle adhesions
Aid in recovery post exercise
Calming effect
What patients can benefit from massage?
- 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
What massage techniques are used?
Stroking
Effleurage
Petrissage
Frictions
What is ‘stroking’ massage technique?
Long, slow, gliding strokes – aids circulation and lymphatic flow, stimulates sensation
What is ‘effleurage’ massage technique?
Firm stroking movements up towards lymph nodes – aids lymphatic flow, reduces oedema
What is ‘petrissage’ massage technique?
Kneading, picking up, rolling and compressions – mobilises soft tissues, enhances deeper circulation and aids toxin removal.
What is ‘frictions’ massage technique?
Deep transverse massage with fingertips – breaks down adhesions and improves fibre alignment.
What is passive range of motion?
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.
What are the benefits of passive range of motion?
Maintains/improves range of motion
Maintains tissue length
Maintains joint health
Reduces Pain
Reduces stiffness
Aids reduction of swelling
What are the indications for a patient to do passive range of motions?
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
What is stretching and how is it performed?
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
What are the benefits of stretching?
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
What are the indications a patient would benefit from stretching?
When muscles are tight
After exercise
When an animal has been immobile
When soft tissue is restricting joint motion
What are some assisted therapeutic exercises?
Assisted standing
Weight shifting
Wobble boards/ physio balls
What are some active therapeutic exercises?
Supported walking
Sit-to-stand
Wheel barrowing/dancing
Poles
What is laser therapy?
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
What are the benefits of laser therapy?
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.
What conditions can laser therapy help?
Wounds
Injuries
Pre/post surgery
Neurological conditions
Skin conditions
Pain management
What rehabilitation techniques can RVN’s use?
Thermotherapy
Massage
Therapeutic Exercises – passive and active
Laser therapy
Electrical Stimulation
Therapeutic ultrasound
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)