Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Second Edition. Edited by Chris Zink and Janet B. Van Dyke.
© 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Summary

Therapeutic exercises can benefit the postoperative patient, the geriatric OA patient, and

the elite athlete with the goal of peak performance. Therapeutic exercise programs address

proprioception, balance, muscle strengthening, endurance, and gait retraining. Patient

evaluation is vital as program design depends upon the current status as well as expecta-

tions for return to work and/or sport. This evaluation directs the therapist to create short‐,

medium‐, and long‐term goals, which are reassessed at each visit. Therapeutic exercise

programs should contain five variables: frequency, intensity, duration, environment, and

impact. It is important to train the client how to perform the exercises in the home

exercise program (HEP). Common therapeutic exercise equipment includes physioballs,

cavaletti rails, balance blocks and discs, weights, tunnels, rocker boards, wobble boards,

and treadmills. Many other materials can be used to create exercises to strengthen specific

muscles or muscle groups, and to change balance, gait, posture, or neurological function.

The imagination of the therapist is the only limitation on the materials used and the exer-

cises created. Patient considerations such as motivation, footing, assistive devices, and

leash/harness control should be assessed prior to beginning any exercise program, and

therapist/client body mechanics should also be taken into consideration to prevent injury.

Before creating any exercise program, the therapist should evaluate stance, transitions

(stand to sit, sit to down, down to sit, and sit to stand) and gait. After the patient is taught

each exercise, these should be re‐evaluated. If there is improvement, the exercise should

be beneficial. If there is no change, the exercise might be beneficial. If there is a negative

change, the exercise is either unsuited to the dog, was done incorrectly, or too many reps

were done.

Exercises are designed to address specific impairments. For each exercise, the client is

provided with a goal, a detailed technique, and a progression. The therapist should be

prepared to choose from a variety of exercises, environments, and equipment to main-

Therapeutic Exercise

Laurie McCauley, DVM, DACVSMR, CVC, CVA, CCRT, and

Janet B. Van Dyke, DVM, DACVSMR, CCRT

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