The Dog's Knee

How can physical therapy help?

Knee (stifle) dysfunctions in dogs are becoming more common.  Most of these problems are genetic in nature, though traumatic injuries can occur.  If your dog is limping, please see your veterinarian.

One cause of dysfunction is when the patella subluxes (partially dislocates) from its groove. The patella (knee cap) is a small bone that is in the patella tendon of the quadriceps and it glides in a groove on the femur (thigh bone).  It is important because it provides mechanical strength for the quadriceps.  Often in dogs, the groove is shallow and the patella subluxes, weakening the power of the leg and causing pain.
Some puppies will grow out of this but most dogs require surgery.

The other common problem is a cranial cruciate ligament tear (the equivalent of the human ACL tear). This ligament provides stability between the tibia and femur. If left unattended, arthritis will develop because of the friction between the bones.  In most cases, surgery is the best long term solution for this issue but physical therapy has been shown to help.

For both of these knee problems, physical therapy plays an important role in the recovery of your dog.

How does physical therapy help?

In some situations physical therapy can prevent surgery.  We will examine your pet from a physical therapy perspective; show you how to help your dog at home and start a hydrotherapy program to strengthen the leg, therefore stabilizing the knee.

If your dog has had surgery, we will show you how to help your pet recover more effectively in the acute stages and also provide long term care to enhance the dog’s return to fun. Hydrotherapy plays a key role in the speed of recovery for your pet.  The dog is able to exercise without causing undue stress to the joint and without increased pain.

In order to provide the best treatment for your dog, we work with your veterinarian.

Printable PDF

Printable Cranial Cruciate Ligament Brochure

Printable Cranial Cruciate Ligament Brochure -Extended Version

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