Hello all
I currently have a middle aged neuter shill shepherd that had a small foreign body removed from its left tarsal region with moderate swelling and lameness in that limb. There is very poor extension of the gastroch muscle on ROM with mild pain after nsaids. Any know any exercises or good brace options for a problem like this? Currently doing laser therapy but owner is unable to bring pet in because of his size. Suggestions? Achilles tendon intact and fine per ultrasound. Just cellulitis
Tassel injury
Re: Tassel injury
Hey Dale,
I'm sorry for not being able to get to this sooner! But better late than never!
Okay, so a few things come up here (and I'm combining my answer here with some of the questions you asked when you e-mailed.)
1. You'll want to be as active as possible with this (vs just passive ROM). So, from an exercise stand point, I'd do sit to stands (maybe onto a stool or facing down hill to make them 'easier' in the beginning, then progress to sitting on a stool or plank, or a wall sit to try to get a nice 'tucked in' sit.
2. Give her some easy mobs to do. I'll attach one here.
With the ankle (tarsus) bent at 90 degrees, use one hand to grasp just above the ankle joint and the other just below the ankle joint. Push the bottom hand away from the top hand. Hold for 5 - 10 seconds or rhythmically bounce.
3. Ice is too passive, but with the cellulitis, what might work better is hot/cold bucket therapy. (Two buckets, one with very warm water - heated to very warm, but tolerated by the human hand, and then very cold - maybe throw in some ice cubes), and go back and forth 30 seconds in each.
4. To get Extension ROM, try reaching upwards with front feet up on a stool/stair/step/platform so the dog it going into more extension. (I'm unsure based on both of your correspondence if the dog is lacking extension ROM, or extensibility of the gastrocs - & therefore lacking flexion of the tarsus). The latter is more common.)
5. Perhaps some low 'destination jumping' would be in order to work the gastrocs and strengthen them as well. (i.e. jumping up onto a platform). I'd also look at easy hill walking or stair climbing for the same goal.
6. In regards to a brace. The joint isn't unstable. So don't stabilize it. However, it might be worthwhile to look into something like the Back On Track Hock Wraps... which don't really stabilize, but do aid in keeping the joints warm / retaining the body heat. This might be enough to help with pain, swelling, and ROM.
Best of luck! I hope this helps you come up with a plan!
Cheers,
Laurie
I'm sorry for not being able to get to this sooner! But better late than never!
Okay, so a few things come up here (and I'm combining my answer here with some of the questions you asked when you e-mailed.)
1. You'll want to be as active as possible with this (vs just passive ROM). So, from an exercise stand point, I'd do sit to stands (maybe onto a stool or facing down hill to make them 'easier' in the beginning, then progress to sitting on a stool or plank, or a wall sit to try to get a nice 'tucked in' sit.
2. Give her some easy mobs to do. I'll attach one here.
- Screen Shot 2019-04-21 at 11.41.20 AM.png (911.66 KiB) Viewed 2822 times
3. Ice is too passive, but with the cellulitis, what might work better is hot/cold bucket therapy. (Two buckets, one with very warm water - heated to very warm, but tolerated by the human hand, and then very cold - maybe throw in some ice cubes), and go back and forth 30 seconds in each.
4. To get Extension ROM, try reaching upwards with front feet up on a stool/stair/step/platform so the dog it going into more extension. (I'm unsure based on both of your correspondence if the dog is lacking extension ROM, or extensibility of the gastrocs - & therefore lacking flexion of the tarsus). The latter is more common.)
5. Perhaps some low 'destination jumping' would be in order to work the gastrocs and strengthen them as well. (i.e. jumping up onto a platform). I'd also look at easy hill walking or stair climbing for the same goal.
6. In regards to a brace. The joint isn't unstable. So don't stabilize it. However, it might be worthwhile to look into something like the Back On Track Hock Wraps... which don't really stabilize, but do aid in keeping the joints warm / retaining the body heat. This might be enough to help with pain, swelling, and ROM.
Best of luck! I hope this helps you come up with a plan!
Cheers,
Laurie
LAURIE EDGE-HUGHES