Exercise of the Month

Amputee Care

Upleveling in 2025? Me, too!

If you are a PT, join us at CSM in Houston, Tx. The small animal physical therapists are getting together to connect and collaborate. Francisco Maia will be stepping down as president of the APT Special Interest Group and I'll be stepping into his giant shoes. Thank you, Fran, for your years of leadership and service!

APTA SIG Information

If you are a PT interested in joining us to move the field of animal physical therapy forward while collaborating in lock step with veterinarians, contact me at Canine Rehab Shop and I'll include you on our meeting list.

In other news, it's been a freezing start to the year in Colorado. I've been tucked in with my computer creating new content. In last two weeks, post operative amputation (full and partial) content has been added. In the coming months, more than 50 pre-populated templates will be uploaded. The next video shoot is mid March. Client documents are on the way. And the most exciting thing is the next book is brewing! I love a good book brew. More info to follow. I think you will be excited!

Onward!

Sasha

Client Documents Coming in 2025!

When we systemize the things we do over and over again, we create space in our lives to do other things (dance party in sequins, anyone?). Clients documents will be added in 2025 for the most common diagnoses. The goal of these documents is to provide clients an overview of rehabilitation. If the GGC upload isn't what you need, no worries! At anytime, you can upload your own documents from the client tab.

UPCOMING TEMPLATES

Template Keyword: onco or amp

ONCO TL Amp Post Op Level 1 (Acute)

ONCO TL Amp Post Op Level 2 (Subacute)

ONCO TL Amp Post Op Level 3 (Chronic)

ONCO TL Partial Amp Post Op Level 1 (Acute)

ONCO TL Partial Amp Post Op Level 2 (Subacute)

ONCO TL Partial Amp Post Op Level 3 (Chronic)

ONCO PL Amp Post Op Level 1 (Acute)

ONCO PL Amp Post Op Level 2 (Subacute)

ONCO PL Amp Post Op Level 3 (Chronic)

ONCO PL Partial Amp Post Op Level 1 (Acute)

ONCO PL Partial Amp Post Op Level 2 (Subacute)

ONCO PL Partial Amp Post Op Level 3 (Chronic)

Template Keyword: osteo or arth

ORTHO Carpus Post Joint Injection

ORTHO Carpus Osteoarthritis Level 1 Available Now

ORTHO Carpus Osteoarthritis Level 2 (Subacute)

ORTHO Carpus Osteoarthritis Level 3 (Chronic)

ORTHO Digits PL Osteoarthritis Level 1 (Acute)

ORTHO Digits PL Osteoarthritis Level 2 (Subacute)

ORTHO Digits PL Osteoarthritis Level 3 (Chronic)

ORTHO Digits TL Osteoarthritis Level 1 (Acute)

ORTHO Digits TL Osteoarthritis Level 2 (Subacute)

ORTHO Digits TL Osteoarthritis Level 3 (Chronic)

Post Operative Amputee Content

First there were four paws, and now there are three. Oh my.

Based on kinematic studies and my experience treating patients in the Flint Animal Cancer Center at CSU, rehabilitation can address two important goals for post operative amputees:

1) prevention of soft tissue adhesions that can lead to function limiting nerve entrapment pain;

2) increasing or maintaining range of motion and strength through new ranges of motion required in tripod gait.

Other tidbits from clinical experience:

For patients walking on all four paws before surgery, the transition to tripod gait may be more difficult.
Regular rehabilitation can address the ongoing soft tissue imbalances that arise from tripod gait.
If a younger dog has an amputation, at some point in their lifespan, management of carpal and digit OA is usually needed. Start therapy as soon as the first clinical signs are noted.

Jarvis, Sarah L., et al. "Kinematic and kinetic analysis of dogs during trotting after amputation of a thoracic limb." American journal of veterinary research 74.9 (2013): 1155-1163.

Hogy, Sara M., et al. "Kinematic and kinetic analysis of dogs during trotting after amputation of a pelvic limb." American journal of veterinary research 74.9 (2013): 1164-1171.

For Client Support, Tripawds!

I have had the great fortune of treating the darling tripods from Tripawds. Rene and Jim have made it their life's mission to make sure people with tripod dogs have all the resources they need to help their pets live the highest quality life. Wyatt, pictured here, was a wonderful wild tripod who was exemplary at this fitness programming. And Nellie was most recently on my treatment mat enjoying her soft tissue mobilizations.

To each dog, their own favorite treatment!

Exercise Request

The next photo shoot is coming up in March 2025. Request your exercise or template today!

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