Rehabilitation
What is Rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation is a critical component of Veterinary Physiotherapy that focuses on restoring an animal's function, mobility, and quality of life following injury, surgery, or illness. As a Veterinary Physiotherapist, my goal is to create individualised rehabilitation programmes that address the specific needs of each animal, facilitating a safe and effective recovery process.
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WHY is rehabilitation
SO IMPORTANT?
Rehabilitation is more than just box or crate rest.
Through targeted exercises and therapies, rehabilitation ensures that the correct amount of stress and mobilisation is applied during the different stages of healing to accelerate healing and ensure recovery with restored strength and mobility.
The sooner this is started the better!
Find out more about my bespoke rehabilitation programmes, specially designed to each and every individual case.
Key Objectives of Rehabilitation:
Pain Management
A primary goal of rehab is to alleviate pain associated with injuries or post-surgical recovery. The use of manual therapy techniques, appropriate electrotherapies and targeted exercises will significantly reduce discomfort.
Restore Function
Rehab aims to restore your animal's ability to perform normal activities, whether that involves walking, running, jumping, or other specific movements required for their daily life or athletic performance.
Enhancing ROM
ROM = range of motion. Joint mobilisation, stretching and mobility exercises will be utilised to improve flexibility and joint ROM. This is essential for optimal function and injury prevention.
Improving Strength
Customised exercise programmes are designed to strengthen the muscles surrounding affected joints and improve overall endurance, enabling the animal to regain its previous activity levels.
Preventing Recurrence
A well-structured rehab program not only focuses on recovery but also addresses underlying issues that may predispose an animal to future injuries. This proactive approach helps ensure a long-term healthy outcome.
Increasing Quality of Life
Through targeting all of these aims, your animals quality of life will ultimately be improved.
Common Canine Conditions:
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Post Surgery rehabilitation
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Osteoarthritis
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Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
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Patella Luxation
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Cruciate Ligament injuries
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Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
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Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCEM)
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Bone fractures
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Soft Tissue injuries
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Limb amputees
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Spondylitis
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Lameness
Common Equine Conditions:
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Post Surgery rehabilitation
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Kissing Spines / ORDSP (Over Riding Dorsal Spinal Processes)
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Muscle pain​
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Sacroiliac conditions / Joint dysfunction
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Osteoarthritis
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Splints and Swellings
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Back pain
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Tendon / Ligament injuries
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Stifle injuries / Locking stifles
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Lameness​