Re: Rehab suggestions for bilateral SI luxations/sacral fracture?

[Guest guest]

I have had very good success with gentle swimming in deep water with these cases. We have them wade in deep water or just stand initially.

Regina Schwabe DVM

Pamplin Animal Wellness Services

Pamplin, Virginia

Rehab suggestions for bilateral SI luxations/sacral fracture?

We are working with a GSH that was HBC. She suffered a left tibial fracture which has been repaired with a bone plate and is being supported with a splint as well. She also suffered a sacral fracture and bilateral sacroiliac luxations. A neurologist has examined her and feels there is an entrapped nerve in addition to the SI luxations causing her to be non-weightbearing on her right hind leg (the non-fractured leg) and painful. Surgeons have evaluated her as well and do not feel there is a surgical option for her at this time. We would appreciate anyone's input for suggestions regarding rehabilitation that may help/hinder her. At this time we are using TENS/cryotherapy, moist heat, and PROM of the hind legs. Thank you! Starr, DVM, CCRP

[Guest guest]

,

I don't post very often as I am new to PT but I have had a lot of

experience with nerve pain. If you haven't already done so, put the

dog on Amantadine or Gaba Pentin. I've had great luck with both these

drugs in cases where no other pain reliever works well. Don't have

doses off the top of my head but you can find them on VIN. May make

the dog more comfortable so you can do other rehab stuff. Also, is

there a reason the fracture repair is being supported with BOTH a plate

and a splint? Just curious, haven't generally had to do it that way so

was wondering if it was a more complicated fracture?

>

> We are working with a GSH that was HBC. She suffered a left tibial

> fracture which has been repaired with a bone plate and is being

> supported with a splint as well. She also suffered a sacral fracture

> and bilateral sacroiliac luxations. A neurologist has examined her

> and feels there is an entrapped nerve in addition to the SI luxations

> causing her to be non-weightbearing on her right hind leg (the non-

> fractured leg) and painful. Surgeons have evaluated her as well and

> do not feel there is a surgical option for her at this time. We

would

> appreciate anyone's input for suggestions regarding rehabilitation

> that may help/hinder her. At this time we are using

TENS/cryotherapy,

> moist heat, and PROM of the hind legs. Thank you!

>

> Starr, DVM, CCRP

>