left tibia fracture repair (external fixator)

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone!

Max is a 4yr old, neutered male, lab retriever mix. Max was evaluated on emergency after being hit by a car. Exam and radiographs showed a fracture to the left tib/fib. The fracture was repaired on November 12 with an external fixator. Max was presented to me today for rehab...this is my first external fixator case. I was looking for some suggestions. At this point Max is partially weight bearing on the limb. There is little to no swelling or bruising and there are no other wounds on the limb. Today I'm going to do some stretching, massage, and some ROM exercises. When is it appropriate to introduce UWTM work? Any suggestions would be great! Thanks! I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.

Lorey CCRP

Kentlands Veterinary Hospital

[Guest guest]

,

Assuming the fixator is still in place we would recommend massage/manual

therapy/stretching/ weight bearing / therapeutic exercises and even modalities

until the fixator is removed. Fixator cases are predisposed to soft tissue /

muscular contracture and therefore concentrating on that in addition to load

bearing exercises to stimulate bone healing would be recommended. Please also

ensure the pin tracts are clean and dry. UWTM therapy may begin once the

fixator is removed and the pin tracks have healed (typically 10-14 days)

following removal.

Hope this helps!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Sherman

Sherman O. Canapp Jr., DVM, MS, CCRT

Diplomate ACVS

Diplomate ACVSMR

Veterinary Orthopedic &

Sports Medicine Group

10975 Guilford Road

polis Junction, MD 20701

Phone:

Fax:

http://www.vosm.com

>

> Hello Everyone!

>

> Max is a 4yr old, neutered male, lab retriever mix.  Max was evaluated on

> emergency after being hit by a car.  Exam and radiographs showed a fracture to

> the left tib/fib.  The fracture was repaired on November 12 with an external

> fixator.  Max was presented to me today for rehab...this is my first external

> fixator case.  I was looking for some suggestions.  At this point Max is

> partially weight bearing on the limb.  There is little to no swelling or

> bruising and there are no other wounds on the limb.  Today I'm going to do

> some stretching, massage, and some ROM exercises.  When is it appropriate to

> introduce UWTM work?  Any suggestions would be great!  Thanks!  I hope

everyone

> has a great Thanksgiving.

>

>  Lorey CCRP

> Kentlands Veterinary Hospital 

>