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I am working with my 1st Achilles tendon post op. It is a Great Dane and the surgeon wants her in a rigid adjustable brace. We just put her orthopet brace on today. She is doing great with it on day 1, transitioning well.

She is 7 wks post op. How soon are you comfortable starting them in the UWTM. I would start at greater trocanter height.

I did watch the video on the Achilles post op and found it to be very helpful. It helps give me a plan on where to start.

7 weeks post op in a brace- is that typical? Incision is well healed, she had alot of gastroc contraction before hand and it is greatly improved.

We are doing laser but they are 2 hours away and we are only seeing them every 2 weeks.

Thanks!

Nancy Peterson DVM, CCRT, CVA, CVSMT
Pawsitive Strides Veterinary Rehabiliation and Therapy

Hey Nancy!

Glad you found that video useful. I'd also suggest checking out the very first FourLeg Newsletter, Volume 1, Issue 1 - 2012. There is information in that one about Calcaneal Tendon surgery etc.

Okay, so with this kind of case, I'd NOT push early removal of the brace. The Achilles tendon is one that biomechanically takes one far more force than weight of the body due to the 'pulley / lever' calculations and how the muscle and tendon function. So, it's one I'd actually be a bit slower in pushing progress than many other injuries / post-op cases. As such, I'd say that yes, 7 weeks (or even 8) in a brace sounds reasonable. AND even then... I'd not take it off as a 'full time' thing. I'd gradually have it off for periods of time, and put it on whenever the dog was doing something 'new' or 'progressive' (i.e. put it on for walks on uneven ground the first few times, or hills, or when beginning to trot, or 'off leash'... and so on.) Use it as a rehab tool once it's no longer day-to-day protection.

I'd also contemplate acquiring a soft neoprene brace (i.e. from Therapaw) for the transition. The neoprene brace isn't enough to support it NOW... but could be just a helper when the dog can come out of the Orthopets brace.

While the dog is still in the Orthopets brace, look at other soft tissue structures and spinal dysfunctions. Work on basic walking, obstacles, backing up, figure of 8's. Nothing too tricky. A strong contraction of the gastrocs could damage the repair. So perhaps you don't try inflatable objects / unstable surfaces until nearer to the 6 - 8 week mark.

As for hydrotherapy... I'd also wait until nearer to that 7 week mark... unless in the brace, which I'm not sure I'd want to submerge in water. So, that takes you to waiting for that 7-week mark anyways!

All in all, perhaps it's good they can't come in more than they can. This way you're less tempted to do too much too soon!

Best of luck!

Cheers,

Laurie