Small animal post-operative orthopaedic rehabilitation

In the human medical world, post-operative rehabilitation is imperative to the successful outcome of the orthopaedic surgery patient. Rehabilitation of the canine patient is now also becoming recognized as an important facet of veterinary medicine. Rehabilitation may be provided either in the veterinary clinic or in purpose-built rehabilitation centres by a variety of animal health professionals including animal physiotherapists, veterinarians and veterinary nurses. Many countries have qualified animal physiotherapists, who are able to provide appropriately designed treatment programmes, transerring their expertise and knowledge to rehabilitation of small animals. While having a qualified animal physiotherapist on site to oversee the rehabilitation of all patients is desirable, it is not always possible and treatment is often administered by veterinary nurses.

Nurses administering rehabilitation programmes for animals should have completed animal rehabilitation courses and work under the guidance of a veterinarian. When devising rehabilitation programmes for animals it is important to follow evidence-based guidelines to ensure that treatments administered are safe and effective, avoiding complications caused by inappropriate exercise regimens or treatments. This article outlines the aims of rehabilitation following orthopaedic surgery, when to commence therapy, appropriate selection, administration and monitoring of treatment techniques performed by the veterinary nurse. It looks at contraindications to treatment and when to refer on to a qualified animal physiotherapist or back to the referring veterinarian.