Swimming therapy helps dogs recover leg use faster after hip surgery

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of postoperative swimming therapy on hind limb functional recovery in dogs following femoral head and neck excision (FHNE) using the symmetry index (SI) of peak vertical force (PVF) data from ground reaction force measurements and orthopedic evaluations. METHODS: From February 18, 2021, through February 18, 2023, dogs undergoing FHNE were randomized to swimming and nonswimming therapy groups. Hind limb PVF and an orthopedic assessment score were recorded at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. Time to functional recovery, defined as the period needed for a dog to regain use of the operated limb and determined by the SI of PVF, and lameness score of orthopedic assessment score were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimation and compared between groups using the log-rank test. RESULTS: The data from 27 dogs were analyzed: 12 in the swimming and 15 in the nonswimming groups. The swimming group demonstrated a faster median functional recovery time as determined by the SI of PVF at 3 months, compared to the nonswimming group median functional recovery time at 6 months postoperatively. Based on lameness scores during trotting, the operated limb achieved functional equivalence with the nonoperated limb by 3 months in the swimming group and by 5 months in the nonswimming group. CONCLUSIONS: Swimming therapy accelerates functional recovery and facilitates a faster return to normal hind limb function in dogs after FHNE. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study supports the use of swimming therapy following FHNE, potentially reducing recovery time and improving outcomes when used alongside other therapeutic techniques.