Page 157 - Veterinary Laser Therapy in Small Animal Practice

Pointing light at musculoskeletal and neurological conditions: clinical applications 143

• TENS: T10–L3, right hip, right knee, and left metatarsophalangeal joints; 100 Hz for 30 min.
• NMES: right quadriceps and hamstrings; 40 Hz for 10 min.
• Massage, passive ROM.
• Slow ramp climbing, sit-to-stand exercises, Cavaletti.
• Owner education: as much controlled exercise as possible (walking on leash); rest is contraindicated.
Avoid jumping and sleeping on cold hard surfaces. Avoid running up or down stairs or chasing rabbits.
Weight control.
• Outcome:
• Decreased pain on manipulation of affected areas after the second week; significant improvement
in sitting/standing up after the third week. After 7 weeks right knee flexion improved to 55° and
right hindlimb diameter increased from 35 to 37 cm (left 39 cm). Able to walk for 2 hours after 2
months.
• A maintenance regime of LT and physiotherapy treatments every 2 weeks had to be maintained during
the colder seasons, otherwise pain would reappear.

Figure C18.1 TENS over right hindlimb. Figure C18.2 Thermotherapy during PMF session.

Spot No.
Area P (W) Tx time J/cm 2 Total J/Tx (cm ) W/cm 2 Tx/week Tx
2
a
TL spine 6–12 4 min 12 2400 2.4
Hip (each) 6–12 5 min 12 3600 2.4 3-2-1 then every
5 24
Stifle (each) 8 4.6 min 10 2250 1.6 2 weeks
Left MTP 6 3.5 min 8 1280 1.2
Note: MTP, metatarsophalangeal joints; TL, thoracolumbar.

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