Other Orthopaedic Conditions
REGENERATIVE STEM CELL THERAPY
Canine stem cell therapy is an exciting new area of veterinary medicine and is offered at the Tampa Bay K9 Rehabilitation Center. Mark C. Brown, DVM, CCRP is the first veterinarian in Pinellas County to become credentialed for harvesting and administering stem cells to aid in the treatment of canine osteoarthritis. Dr. Kalen Faber is also credentialed to perform stem cell therapy for her patients. All cases that have received stem cell therapy in our facilities receive a special savings on follow-up physical rehabilitation services. Call our office to learn more about this new technological advancement.
HIP DISPLASIA
Hip dysplasia is a congenital disease that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It can be found in many animals, but is common in many dog breeds, particularly the larger breeds. In the normal anatomy of the hip joint, the thigh bone (femur) joins the hip in the hip joint, specifically the caput ossis femoris. The almost spherical end of the femur articulates with the hip bone acetabulum, a partly cartilaginous mold into which the caput neatly fits. It is important that the weight of the body is carried on the bony part of the acetabulum, not on the cartilage part, otherwise the caput can glide out of the acetabulum, which is very painful. Such a condition also may lead to maladaptation of the respective bones and poor articulation of the joint. In dogs, the problem almost always appears by the time the dog is 18 months old. The defect can be anywhere from mild to severely crippling. It can cause severe osteoarthritis eventually as well as compensitory injury to other areas of the body.
LAMENESS
This general term describes the condition where a dog does not bear weight correctly when standing, walking, trotting or running. Lameness must be analyzed to determine the cause. A complete lameness exam accompanied by review of X-rays is necessary to develop a rehabilitation treatment plan. Sometimes even an MRI may be necessary to establish a definitive diagnosis. There are many causes of lameness ranging from soft tissue injury and bone fractures to osteoarthritis, cancer, immune mediated disease, and neurological conditions.
MUSCLE SPASMS
Commonly underdiagnosed, muscle spasms can be extremely debilitating. In many cases when muscle spasms are appropriately treated, a pet's clinical condition can improve significantly.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Pain not only hurts, but is detrimental to healing. It has been shown that surgical patients as well as those with medical illnesses heal quicker when pain is properly treated. Effectively treating pain usually requires a definitive diagnosis and typically responds best to multi-modal therapy which includes pharmacological treatment, veterinary physical therapy or rehabilitation, and sometimes surgery.
ORTHODICS & CART FITTINGS
The Tampa Bay K9 Rehabilitation Center can measure, fit, order, apply, and educate clients regarding these outsourced services. Specialists around the country are at our disposal.
ORTHOPEDIC POST-OPERATIVE RECOVERY THERAPY
As in humans, post operative rehabilitation allows the patient to heal faster and more completely with less pain and greater long standing beneficial effects. Typical post operative sessions last from 3-12 visits.