RE: fibrotic myopathy-hamstrings

[Guest guest]

Tania -- yes, continuous US may help warm up before the stretching. However, drawbacks with US are that (1) it does not penetrate the hair coat sufficiently to warm underlying tissues (if you clip the hair or find a bare area on the medial thigh that would be okay) and (2) the suggested area of sonication is 2x the area of the sound head in order to get sufficient warming of the underlying tissues in 5-10 minutes, and the scar tissue is often several inches long so it would be hard to get all that tissue warmed at the same time but you might be able to apply US to the most affected area.

Other options besides US to warm tissues are hot packs if the scarring is at a depth of 1 cm or less under the skin, or diathermy if you have access to a unit.

What we find easiest to get owner compliance (because the stretching ideally is done 1- 2x per day possibly for the rest of the dog's life) is to have them walk and jog the dog for 5-10 min to warm up the muscles before the stretching. I think the stretching technique is in the archives but let me know if you want a stretching protocol.

if someone has had success with other modalities, please chime in!

good luck with this police dog

thanks

JanJanet Steiss, DVM, PhD, PT, Dipl. ACVSMRDept of Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology College of Veterinary Medicine Auburn University AL 36849 ______________________________ work ph: FAX (departmental): alternate email: steisje@...

To: VetRehab From: tania@...Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 21:45:43 -0400Subject: fibrotic myopathy-hamstrings

Janet,

I just read the string on the fibrotic myopathy...hamstrings...just wondering on your thoughts (and the groups) on U/S for this type of injury...it seems there is some mixed reviews. I was thinking using thermal (continuous) would be good to help with stretching the muscles (stretching from your previous post) with U/S would this not increase the length of the affected muscles? This dog is young and has a mild case, with no pain associated, just gait abnormalities.. i will teach the officer the stretches you recommend.

Thanks

tania

[Guest guest]

I have seen several police dogs with fibrotic myopathy that has not affected their performance. They have the strange gait but it is not painful and all of the research that I have done supports Jan's commnets about no surgery. To be honest I have not found any physio modality that has any effect on progression. Tell the handler that it is a functional limp happening because of the alteration of motion and not to worry unless it does affect performance. Is it going to through off biomechanics and cause injury somewhere else? Maybe? There is a lot of money tied up in these dogs and if it is an established performer with a couple of years left press on. If it is young dog with borderline performance maybe he should be retired.

My $.02

Jeff

 

Tania -- yes, continuous US may help warm up before the stretching.  However, drawbacks with US are that (1) it does not penetrate the hair coat sufficiently to warm underlying tissues (if you clip the hair or find a bare area on the medial thigh that would be okay) and (2) the suggested area of sonication is 2x the area of the sound head in order to get sufficient warming of the underlying tissues in 5-10 minutes, and the scar tissue is often several inches long so it would be hard to get all that tissue warmed at the same time but you might be able to apply US to the most affected area. 

 Other options besides US to warm tissues are hot packs if the scarring is at a depth of 1 cm or less under the skin, or diathermy if you have access to a unit.   What we find easiest to get owner compliance (because the stretching ideally is done 1- 2x per day  possibly for the rest of the dog's life)  is to have them walk and jog the dog for 5-10 min to warm up the muscles before the stretching.  I think the stretching technique is in the archives but let me know if you want a stretching protocol. 

 if someone has had success with other modalities, please chime in! good luck with this police dog thanks  JanJanet Steiss, DVM, PhD, PT, Dipl. ACVSMRDept of Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology College of Veterinary Medicine Auburn University AL 36849 ______________________________

work ph:                                  FAX (departmental): alternate email: steisje@...  

To: VetRehab From: tania@...Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 21:45:43 -0400

Subject: fibrotic myopathy-hamstrings 

Janet,

 

I just read the string on the fibrotic myopathy...hamstrings...just wondering on your thoughts (and the groups) on U/S for this type of injury...it seems there is some mixed reviews.  I was thinking using thermal (continuous) would be good to help with stretching the muscles (stretching from your previous post) with U/S would this not increase the length of the affected muscles?  This dog is young and has a mild case, with no pain associated, just gait abnormalities.. i will teach the officer the stretches you recommend.

 

Thanks

 

tania

-- Jeff Bowra DVMCanine Rehabilitation PractitionerAldergrove Animal Hospital26841 Fraser Highway

Aldergrove, BC, CanadaV4W3E4www.aldergrovevet.comwww.thespaw.com