360 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
of gait, and physical examination. Affected dogs
have a pelvic limb gait abnormality character
ized by a shortened stride with lack of stifle
extension and a rapid, elastic, medial rotation
of the foot, internal rotation of the tarsus with
external rotation of the calcaneus, and inter
nal rotation of the stifle during the mid to late
swing phase of protraction (Figure 14.8).
A taut, firm band is palpable in the caudo
medial aspect of the thigh (this can be the
gracilis or semitendinosus tendon). Pain and
spasm may be noted when performing a stretch
of the gracilis–semitendinosus muscle complex
(hip flexion, stifle extension, and limb abduc
tion) (Figure 14.9). In many cases, the stifle
physically cannot be fully extended during this
stretch.
Treatment
For acute cases, conservative management and
rehabilitation therapy consisting of NSAIDs,
restricted controlled activity, cryotherapy
switching to moist heat, and rehabilitation
therapy is recommended. Dry needling has
been found helpful in one author’s (FL) opinion
as an adjunctive therapy.
Unfortunately, it is rare for rehabilitation
therapy to completely resolve the clinical signs
associated with a gracilis/semitendinosus
myopathy, but improvement in quality of life
and function is notable in our experience. With
continued rehabilitation therapy and dedica
tion to a home maintenance program, working
dogs with this condition can remain active and
on duty. Teaching the client proper massage
and stretching, as well as conditioning, warm‐
ups, and avoidance of repetitive strain activi
ties when possible is recommended as part of
the ongoing rehabilitation effort.(A) (B)Figure 14.8 Dogs with gracilis myopathy have a characteristic pelvic limb gait abnormality. (A) Elastic medial rotation
of the left rear foot and external rotation of the calcaneus. (B) 0.5 seconds later the foot has rotated laterally and the
calcaneus medially. (Images obtained from video.)
Figure 14.9 In dogs with gracilis myopathy, pain and
spasm may be noted when performing a stretch of the
gracilis–semitendinosus muscle complex (hip flexion,
stifle extension, and limb abduction).