One of the most interesting aspects of veterinary medicine is its ability to constantly change and innovate with new disciplines being developed every year.  One of the newest additions to veterinary medicine, has been the field of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation.  For decades, most patients with  orthopedic or neurologic disease were placed on a wide variety of medications or underwent surgery, but many were not given additional therapy for their ailments.  Post operative surgical patients were often managed through strict confinement.  Chronic arthritis patients were placed on pain medication.  Over the past several years, more research has proven that a more aggressive approach to our orthopedic and neurologic patients is needed and the field of veterinary Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation was born.

Many of the therapies used in this field are the same treatments often used in a human physical therapy facility. Treatments are often geared toward post orthopedic and neurologic surgical patients, such as spinal disc disease, cranial cruciate rupture, luxating patellas (moving kneecaps) and others, as well as those with chronic pain from arthritis.  The goals vary for each patient and are wide ranging, from working dogs to returning to function as quickly as possible, to limiting the amount of medications a pet is taking for pain, to increasing a pet's mobility and therefore quality of life.

The therapies are numerous and include therapeutic ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), passive range of motion exercises, active exercise, massage, joint injections and others.  Therapeutic ultrasound uses sound waves to heat deep tissues in order to decrease pain, break down scar tissue, increase range of motion, increase blood flow and healing, and reduce muscle spasm.  Often this is combined with stretching.  Exercises, whether active or passive, help build muscle mass to support weak joints and improve range of motion.  TENS uses low level electrical currents primarily to decrease pain by blocking the normal pathways of pain perception.  Joints can be injected with cartilage protectants similar to those used in humans and horses.  These are just a few of the many techniques utilized.

Specialized training and certification can be performed by a veterinarian, licensed veterinary technician or human physical therapist and is indicated to owners by the letters CCRP (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Specialist) or CCRT (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist).  These indicate that an individual has gone through extensive training in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation and passed a certification exam.

This is an exciting new field of veterinary medicine that may be helpful for many pets (dogs and cats), whether it be an older German Shepherd with arthritis, a young Golden Retriever after a knee surgery or a cat that cannot metabolize certain medications.  Look for a rehabilitation specialist in your area for more information.

Kathy Wainwright, DVM
Centreville Animal Hospital
CCRP in training