If severe pain is present, do not attempt these exercises, and contact a veterinarian to discuss alternatives as well as pain control.Įach exercise usually is performed 15-20 times each session. Be sure that your pet is comfortable enough to start. Range-of-motion exercises usually are started within 1-3 days of injury/surgery: soon enough to start to help, but after severe swelling has had a chance to stabilize and start to resolve, and healing has started. With practice (and the patient’s flexibility), 5-10 seconds should eventually be typical for each exercise, keeping in mind that the end of each motion is slower when resistance is met, watching for signs of discomfort (raising the head, shaking the leg away, or vocalizing). One full extension or one full flexion of any joint in any leg will likely take from 10 to 30 seconds the first time. Going slow, especially at first, is important. Your veterinarian can make this determination. Some disorders (e.g., polymyositis) can require very frequent and very gentle exercises for many weeks, whereas others (e.g., fracture with complete surgical correction) only require a brief course of exercises. Overall duration can be a few days or several weeks, depending on the extent of the original surgery/injury. Usually the exercises should take between 5 and 10 minutes to do each time, and in most cases it is recommended to do them 3 times a day (about every 6-10 hours). For pets with thin or fragile skin, a large foam cushion or foam rubber sheet can be helpful as padding. A rubberized, padded mat that is at least twice as long and twice as wide as the length of the pet can also work well. Carpeted areas are well suited so long as they can be kept clean. There should be traction for exercises requiring a pet to stand. It is best to choose a place in the home where a pet can stand or lie down on his/her side comfortably. These are range-of-motion exercises and are appropriate for both cats and dogs. While some veterinary facilities can offer some forms of physical rehabilitation, such as walking on an underwater treadmill, the hands-on approach of gently and repetitively moving a pet’s limbs through their normal movements can be done at home. It is an opportunity for you to help speed the recovery in a hands-on way with your pet. Doing very gentle, full range flexion and extension of the limbs several times daily is a form of physical rehabilitation that can keep the muscles limber and the joints flexible. Performing the exercises 3 to 5 days a week will maintain strength and range of motion in your foot and ankle.Recovery from muscular, bony, or joint injury or surgery in animals often includes a gradual return to movement, just as it does in people. After your recovery, these exercises can be continued as a maintenance program for lifelong protection and health of your feet and lower legs. Length of program: This foot and ankle conditioning program should be continued for 4 to 6 weeks, unless otherwise specified by your doctor or physical therapist. Peroneus brevis (outside of lower calf).Peroneus longus (outside of lower calf).Target Muscles: The muscle groups of the lower leg are targeted in this conditioning program, as well as the tendons and ligaments that control movement in your feet. Gently stretching after strengthening exercises can help reduce muscle soreness and aid in joint mobility and muscle health. Keeping these muscles strong can relieve foot and ankle pain, prevent further injury, and promote lower limb health and stability.įlexibility: Stretching the muscles that you strengthen is important for restoring range of motion and preventing injury. Strength: Strengthening the muscles that support your lower leg, foot, and ankle will help keep your ankle joint stable. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about which exercises will best help you meet your rehabilitation goals. To ensure that the program is safe and effective for you, it should be performed under your doctor's supervision. This is a general conditioning program that provides a wide range of exercises. Following a well-structured conditioning program will also help you return to sports and other recreational activities. After an injury or surgery, an exercise conditioning program will help you return to daily activities and enjoy a more active, healthy lifestyle.
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