The Effect of Early Initiation of Physiotherapy on the Functional Recovery of Dogs That Underwent Femoral Head Ostectomy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Some hip or femur disorders lead to femoral head osteotomy surgery. After surgery, it is necessary to start physical therapy for faster recovery of the animal. Physiotherapy includes different devices such as stimulators or lasers and methods like manual therapy and massage. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to show the different methods of physiotherapy used in 19 dogs after femoral head osteotomy, and also to collect information about the time between the start of physiotherapy after surgery and the duration of their recovery. METHOD: Nineteen dogs that underwent femoral head osteotomy surgery were given physiotherapy after 2 days. The treatment methods used are cold therapy and heat therapy, ultrasound, laser therapy, electrical stimulation, massage, passive joint movement and passive stretching. Lameness score and muscle size were measured at the beginning of physiotherapy and at the tenth session. RESULT: There was no significant difference between the size of the muscles at the beginning of the physiotherapy session and the 10 sessions after that, but the evaluation of the lameness score showed a significant difference. CONCLUSION: Early start of physiotherapy after surgery is very important and leads to faster recovery of the patient.