Front Matter

394 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

flexor, deep digital flexor, and cranial tibial mus-
cles, as well as the sacrotuberous ligament, stifle
medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral
collateral ligament (LCL), popliteal lymph node,
patellar ligament, parapatellar region, stifle joint
line, possible medial buttress, calcaneal tendon,
long digital extensor tendon, tarsal MCL and
LCL, sesamoids, and digital joints.

Joint play

It is beyond the scope of this text to train the
reader to perform arthrokinematic assessment
glides, as they require hands-on training. These
glides are used to assess for normal joint play
movement at each joint. Normal arthrokinematic
motion is required for normal osteokinematic
motion to occur. If a restriction is noted, it is doc-
umented on a 0 to 6 scale. The reader is referred
to Chapter  5 for a detailed description of joint
play assessment. Table 15.2 provides a list of the
most commonly used assessment glides for the
pelvic limb. Figure 15.6 shows an example of a
cranial glide of the tibia on the stabilized femur.

Special tests

In addition to the special tests described for

each joint in Chapters 5 and 13, the physical

therapist might use the following tests.

McMurray test

The McMurray test is a human evaluative

technique used to assess for meniscal tears. The

action of this test is designed to compress a

potential meniscal tear, with a positive result

indicated by pain, a springy end-feel, and/or

an audible clunk. To test the medial meniscus,

the therapist starts with the stifle in flexion. The

stabilizing hand is on the stifle, palpating the

joint line, and the other hand grasps the tarsal–

metatarsal region. The distal hand is used to

externally rotate the tibia. While maintaining

tibial external rotation, the proximal hand

applies a valgus stress to the stifle as the joint is

moved into extension. This test can be reversed

for testing of the lateral meniscus.

Long digital extensor subluxation

Long digital extensor tendon subluxation is

tested by palpating the tendon of origin while

flexing and extending the stifle. This disorder

can be mistaken for patellar luxation, as the

patient will present with an intermittent skip-

ping gait.

Superficial digital flexor tendon luxation

Integrity of the support structures of the super-

ficial digital flexor tendon is tested by flexing

the tarsus while palpating the tuber calcaneus.

A positive test reveals a popping or sliding of

the tendon to the medial or lateral aspect of the

tuber depending which retinaculum has been

stretched or ruptured.

Treatment options for disorders

of the pelvic limb

The physical therapist’s approach to treating
commonly diagnosed pelvic limb disorders in
canine patients begins with the understanding
Figure 15.6 Cranial glide of the tibia on a stabilized femur. that the goal of physical therapy is to maximize

Table 15.2 Pelvic limb joint play assessment

Joint Assessment glides/traction

Coxofemoral joint Distraction

Tibiofemoral joint Caudal, cranial, distraction

Talocrural joint Caudal, cranial, distraction

Phalangeal joints Dorsal, ventral, distraction