Front Matter

390 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

scan will include active range of motion (AROM)
of the spine, assessment of pelvic alignment,
soft tissue palpation, and joint provocation
testing. Additionally, conscious propriocep-
tion is tested and gait is observed for possible
neurological signs.

Orthopedic examination
of the pelvic limb

Organizing the examination

Sequencing of the exam is driven by patient
comfort. At the first appointment, building trust
is essential. Relaxed, friendly communication
with the client will help put the patient at ease.
The patient is free to explore the new surround-
ings while the therapist obtains historical infor-
mation from the client. This author prefers to
begin the exam with the hands-off elements of
the evaluation, allowing the patient additional
time to gain the trust of the examiner. These ele-
ments include observation of posture, functional
transfers, strength, and gaiting (see Chapter  2).
The hands-on elements of the exam are per-
formed next and include passive range of motion
(PROM), flexibility, palpation, joint play, and
special tests. The exam can be performed with
the patient in lateral recumbency or standing
depending on patient preference. Ideally the
involved limb is evaluated last.

Posture

Posture is observed in the standing and sitting
positions. Observing the patient in standing, the
therapist should note foot placement, topline
(lordosis or kyphosis), pelvic alignment, head
and tail position, balance of weight bearing
(weight shift forward or backward, left or
right), and any off-weighting of a limb (Figure
15.1). Weight bearing can be classified as
non-weight bearing (NWB), toe-touch weight
bearing (TTWB), partial weight bearing (PWB),
or full weight bearing (FWB). The amount of
weight bearing can also be documented with
an approximate percentage (i.e., PWB approxi-
mately 60%). The patient is observed for the
symmetry of the sitting posture, with a normal
sit considered square. If sitting posture is not

square, joint angulation of the limbs is noted.

For example, a patient with a stifle injury will

commonly sit with the involved limb in hip

abduction and external rotation with decreased

stifle and/or tarsal flexion (Figure 15.2).

Function

A functional assessment examines the patient’s

activities of daily living. The assessment will

depend on the patient’s job and condition.

Therefore, the components included in assess-

ment of a tetraparetic patient will be quite differ-

ent than those of a postsurgical cranial cruciate

ligament (CCL) patient or an agility patient

with post-event lameness. Function is assessed

by observation of specific activities. Analysis of

the movement requires a good understanding

of functional anatomy and biomechanics.

Elements of a functional exam may include

stand-to-sit, sit-to-down, and sternal to lateral

recumbency transfers as well as the reverse of

each. Proper sequencing, timing, range of motion

(ROM), and strength are required to complete

each transition appropriately. Pain and weakness

will be reflected in compensations.

Figure 15.1 Abnormal weight bearing. Dog is off-

loading the right pelvic limb.