Rehabilitation and Fitness Center
We are pleased to announce the opening of the Small Animal Rehabilitation and Fitness Center (RFC) at the Veterinary Medical Center!
Up and Running Fund for Rehabilitation Medicine
The RFC will begin accepting new patients in September. However, until completion of the new small animal hospital, the RFC will have a limited number of appointments available for new patients. It is anticipated that initially, 4-6 new patients will be seen on Mondays of every week (excluding holidays). The remainder of the week will be dedicated to treatment of these patients, in addition to post-operative cases and hospital in-patients. The number of new patient appointments may increase prior to the opening of the new hospital, once the service is further established.
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Who can benefit from rehabilitation?The short answer is: All patients! However, substantial benefits may be gained with rehabilitation for animals with the following conditions:
· Post orthopedic surgery
· Post neurologic surgery
· Obesity
· Arthritis
· Non-operable orthopedic conditions (conditions in which surgery may be avoided or delayed, such as grade I-II MPL, early partial CCL rupture, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia)
· Non-operable neurologic conditions (FCE)
· Post amputation
· Chronic, non-healing wounds
· Muscle wasting (Cushings disease, chemotherapy, etc.)
· Geriatric animals
· Canine athletes
What will rehabilitation therapy entail?
The first and most important part of rehab is establishment of a complete diagnosis. Often, animals with an obvious (or not so obvious) injury in one limb will develop compensatory changes in the rest of the body. A thorough orthopedic and neurologic examination will be performed and all musculoskeletal abnormalities documented and addressed. Serial examinations will be performed at regular intervals to assess the effects of therapy and changes in the body.
Based on the results of the examination and patient history, an individualized treatment plan will be developed for each patient. A home exercise plan will be a key component of each plan, and exercises will be demonstrated to owners during the initial consult. Additionally, each patient will receive an instructional DVD that will include the recommended exercises, and an activity log.
If therapeutic modalities, hydrotherapy, or additional exercise therapy are recommended, patients will be scheduled for sessions through out the week. Each patient will be given a ½ or full hour time slot (depending on the therapy) that will be dedicated toward his or her treatment. Sessions may be recommended up to 3 times/ week.
Therapeutic modalities offered include:
· Low level laser therapy
· Underwater treadmill
· Land treadmill
· Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (E-stim)
· Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy
· Exercise equipment including proprioception training
· Manual therapy (range of motion, joint mobilization, massage)
· Extracorporeal shockwave therapy*
· Stem cell therapy **
*Shockwave therapy requires heavy sedation.
**Stem cell therapy requires general anesthesia for cell collection and heavy sedation 2 days later for cell injection.
