Front Matter

Chapter 11 Veterinary Orthotics and Prosthetics 275

the greatest strength‐to‐weight characteristics
(Tatar et  al., 2014; Jagannatha & Harish,
2015).  At the time of this publication, 3‐D
printed materials are unable to match these
characteristics.
Three‐dimensional printers have their own
version of sculpting software that could be
adapted to the V‐OP design. 3‐D printing
provides an opportunity to fabricate computer‐
aided V‐OP designs without the technical
skills required for manufacturing compo­
nents with either plastics or carbon fiber.
Because 3‐D printing is readily available and
relatively simple, individuals with little or no
knowledge of V‐OP, biomechanics, anatomy,
or veterinary pathology can attempt to fabri­
cate devices. 3‐D printing and its novelty does
not include the actual cost of manufacturing a
V‐OP device. If a 3‐D printer were used in
production for ortho tics and prosthetics, the
cost of those components would be astrono­
mically expensive for clients, and, at the time
of this publication, CAD along with fabrication
from polypropylene or laminated carbon fiber
is preferred. The authors are concerned about
the fabrication and use of such devices with­
out veterinary examination, diagnosis, and
prescription. It is possible to inadvertently
harm an animal patient or delay appropriate
treatment.

Biomechanics and pathomechanics:
the interrelationship between
rehabilitation and V‐OP

The application of mechanical devices is not a
panacea and not without challenges. Return
to functional independence requires re‐edu­
cation of the body as a whole, including mus­
cles, nerves, and the mind. Early pioneers of
H‐OP did not anticipate the need for such
rehabilitation. However, in modern practice it
is clear a mechanical device must be coupled
with rehabilitation to maximize its use and
the patient’s success. The aim of rehabilita­
tion is to restore and preserve maximum
independence of action and functionality
(Geertzen et  al., 2001) (Figure  11.9).With
respect to veterinary patients, an additional
aim is to prolong active and comfortable life
to prevent premature euthanasia.

Rehabilitation is a medical specialty concerned

with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and

management, by physical means, of disabling

diseases, disorders, and injuries typically of a

musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neuromuscu­

lar, or neurological nature. Biomechanics encom­

passes anatomy, kinesiology, neurophysiology,

mechanics, physics, and mathematics (Bedotto,

2006). Pathomechanics deals with the abnormal

effect of static and dynamic forces on the body as

a result of neurological, muscular, and skeletal

disorders. It provides understanding of the

underlying cause of gait deviation and the impli­

cation of forces acting on the injured body during

movement: ground reaction force, inertia, and

gravity. The specialty of orthotics and prosthe­

tics addresses pathomechanics through the use

of corrective forces including alignment of body

position, muscular control, and external mecha­

nical systems (Bedotto, 2006).

The application of an orthosis or prosthesis

adds additional challenge to rehabilitative manip­

ulation of movement. The comprehensive treat­

ment of a pathomechanical injury requiring use of

a device involves marrying the mechanics of the

device with the mechanics of the body; the device

must become part of the biomechanical system.

The rehabilitation therapist plays an integral part

in uniting the mechanics of body (muscle and

nerve activation, and integration patterns) and

Figure 11.9 Boxer undergoing rehabilitation for cranial

cruciate ligament insufficiency using a stifle orthosis.