Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Select modalities.
- Journal:
- Clinical techniques in small animal practice
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Canapp, Debra A
- Affiliation:
- Veterinary Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Group · United States
Plain-English summary
There are various physical rehabilitation treatments that can help small animals, especially those with orthopedic injuries, neurological issues, or age-related chronic conditions. These treatments include therapeutic ultrasound, which uses sound waves to help heal tissues; transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS), which uses electrical currents to reduce pain and swelling; and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), which helps muscles contract properly after injuries. Other options like low-level laser therapy (LLLT) use light to promote healing and reduce pain, while pulsed magnetic field therapy (PMF) helps with cellular healing through magnetic fields. It's important to remember that these treatments should be part of a comprehensive plan that includes a proper diagnosis and tailored exercises for your pet.
Abstract
Physical rehabilitation modalities such as therapeutic ultrasound (TU), transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), cold or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and pulsed magnetic field therapy (PMF) can all, when used properly, assist in treating orthopedic injuries, neurological conditions, and chronic conditions brought about by normal aging in our small animal companions. TU uses sound waves to produce both thermal and nonthermal effects that aid in tissue healing, repair, and function. TENS uses different frequencies of electrical current to decrease pain and inflammation. NMES also uses an electrical current to stimulate muscle contraction to assist in normal neuromuscular function in postorthopedic and neurological injuries. LLLT uses light energy to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and stimulate healing at a cellular level. PMF uses magnetic field to stimulate normal cellular ion exchange and oxygen utilization and promote generalized healing of tissues. These modalities are discussed in detail covering mechanism of action, parameters, settings, and indications/contraindications of use in our small animals. Although these modalities are important in the physical rehabilitation of small animals, they need to be incorporated with a proper diagnosis, manual therapy, and home exercise program into a specific and individualized patient treatment protocol.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18198784/