Jersey’s Case Report – Chronic L Forelimb Lameness

Completed by Ashley Fijal

Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Class of 2015

1. Patient Name: Jersey
2. Signalment: 7 year old, Female Spayed, Golden Retriever
3. Clinical Problems:
   • Chronic left forelimb lameness with head bob
   • Evidence of degenerative joint disease in multiple joints (both carpal joints, left elbow, right shoulder, left hock, and both stifles)
   • Mild myofascial back pain in thoracic area (T4-T12)
   • Overweight
4. Rehabilitation Goals:
   • Relieve discomfort
   • Strengthen core, shoulder, and thigh muscles
   • Promote weight loss
   • Decrease myofascial back pain
5. Modalities used in rehabilitation program:
   • Therapeutic exercises:
     • Figure 8’s
     • Low cavalettis
     • Uneven surfaces to walk over
     • “Rocky road” which involves animal standing on disc with forelimbs and compressed foam pads for the hind limbs with weight shifting
     • Large wobble disc to promote balance and building key leg muscles
   • Land treadmill: 1.2 mph for 3 minutes
   • Underwater treadmill: Water at level of shoulders to decrease impact on joints. 0.7 mph for 1.5 minutes and 0.8 mph for 10.5 minutes.
   • Laser therapy: Class IV laser therapy (both carpal joints, left elbow and shoulder, stifles, and cervical spine) helps to reduce inflammation, enhance blood flow, and heal tissues
   • Therapeutic massage
   • Acupuncture
   • Homework exercises:
     • Cookie side bends (20 repetitions 2-3 times daily)
     • Cookie stretches (20 repetitions 2-3 times daily)
     • Paw shake (40 repetitions 2-3 times daily)
     • Cavalettis: Increase leg lift, thigh strength, and body awareness
       • Walk slowly over 2 items approximately 4 inches off ground placed 3 feet apart (10 repetitions 2-3 times daily)
     • Uneven surfaces: Create a 6 foot row of uneven surfaces (5-10 passes 2-3 times daily)
     • Frequent slow leash walks (2-3 times daily)
6. Assessment:
   • Doing well at home with no limping
     • Stairs once daily
     • Treadmill at home at 1.4 mph twice daily
   • Clinical signs improved from first appointment on 10-31-13 when there was limping consistently with head bob
   • No head bob or limping observed on 1-15-14
   • No obvious muscle trigger points and minimal myofascial pain noted on 1-15-14
   • Continuing with weight loss efforts in reducing amount of food given at home

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