Front Matter

Chapter 13 Evaluation and Rehabilitation Options for Orthopedic Disorders of the Canine Thoracic Limb 341

muscle while manually moving multiple joints to
place the muscle on stretch. For example, to
stretch the brachiocephalicus, the therapist places
the dog in lateral recumbency, stabilizes the
insertion of the muscle by flexing the shoulder of
the down limb, and, maintaining this position,
stretches the muscle by placing the cervical spine
in lateral flexion and atlanto‐occipital joint

flexion (Figure 13.6). Outcomes from flexibility

testing—such as decreased flexibility and pain

during the flexibility test—provide the therapist

with information about specific muscle primary

injuries as well as secondary compensatory

issues. Thorough objective assessment of tho-

racic limb muscle flexibility includes testing all

the muscles listed in Table 13.1.

Figure 13.6 Passive stretch assessment of the brachiocephalicus requires stretching the distal insertion of the muscle
with the elbow extended and the shoulder flexed. This position is then maintained or stabilized, allowing the therapist to
assess the quality and amount of muscle extensibility as the cervical spine is guided into side bending and the atlanto‐
occipital joint is moved into flexion.

Table 13.1 Muscle open‐chain concentric actions from an anatomically neutral position

Muscle Muscle open‐chain actions

Rhomboids Scapular dorsal glide

Trapezius, cranial head Scapular dorsocranial glide

Trapezius, caudal head Scapular dorsocaudal glide

Omotransversarius Scapular cranial glide + cervical spine side bending

Subscapularis Glenohumeral adduction

Serratus ventralis, cranial fibers Scapular ventrocranial glide

Serratus ventralis, caudal fibers Scapular ventrocaudal glide

Supraspinatus Glenohumeral extension

Infraspinatus Glenohumeral abduction + external rotation

Biceps brachii Glenohumeral extension + elbow flexion

Brachiocephalicus Cervical spine side bending + glenohumeral extension

Deltoids Glenohumeral flexion + abduction

Latissimus dorsi Glenohumeral flexion + adduction + internal rotation

Superficial pectoral Glenohumeral adduction

Deep pectoral Glenohumeral flexion + adduction + internal rotation

Teres major Glenohumeral flexion + adduction + internal rotation

Triceps Elbow extension + shoulder flexion

Brachialis Elbow flexion

Carpal and digital flexor muscle group Carpal flexion + digit flexion

Carpal and digital extensor muscle group Carpal extension + digit extension