336 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
carpal joints relative to the contralateral limb
and relative to each other. Abnormal standing
angles or inequities from side to side can
indicate primary injuries. For example, com-
pare Figure 13.1 of a young, injury‐free dog to
Figure 13.2 of a geriatric patient. The low head
carriage of the geriatric dog may indicate a pri-
mary injury in the cervical spine, thoracic limbs,
or pelvic limbs and the increased right thoracic
limb abduction and external rotation indicates(A) (B)Figure 13.1 Postural assessment from the front and side of a young, injury‐free dog. (A) Side view. (B) Front view. Note
the position of the scapula on the thorax, the angulation of the thoracic limb joints, and the position of the head and top
line in comparison with the geriatric patient shown in Figure 13.2.
(A) (B)Figure 13.2 Postural assessment from the side and front in a geriatric patient with a medical diagnosis of hip
osteoarthritis. (A) Side view. (B) Front view. Physical therapy postural assessment reveals scapulae dorsally positioned on
the thorax, extension of the shoulder and elbow joints, and hyperextension of the carpal joints (likely using the passive
tension of flexor carpi ulnaris), all of which help maintain a passive energy‐efficient standing position. The head and top
line positions indicate offloading of the pelvic limbs, increasing weight through the thoracic limbs, and offloading of the
right thoracic limb.