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P H Y S I O T H E R A P Y
The physio will then consider whether the
correct management is physiotherapy or
veterinary treatment. Physiotherapy may
be more appropriate later in the healing
process or after certain veterinary
management or surgery.
Good communication skills are essential
to explain clearly to the owner (and vet
if appropriate) what the findings are.
Physiotherapists work as part of
the multi-disciplinary team. It is
vital that each part of the jigsaw
is put into place.
Physiotherapy is also very important in
preventing lameness problems. By detecting
issues early when they are small and easy
to treat, correcting abnormal movement
patterns or strengthening areas of weakness
more serious issues can be avoided.
If you have any queries or want to
contact Rachel directly go to:
www.equineandcaninesolutions.co.uk
SPRING 2012 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
14
Physiotherapy treatment
of a forelimb lameness caused by
a triceps muscle tear.
This may present as the horse pulling up
lame after a canter or jumping or lameness
when the horse comes out of the stable
first thing in the morning, normally following
strenuous exercise the day before, or
from playing in the field, slipping and
overstretching the muscle.
The horse will often present with a weight
bearing lameness but also a restriction in
stride length on the affected side. In an
acute injury there may be heat and swelling
in the triceps muscle which is situated behind
the shoulder and elbow. The muscle will be
painful to palpate. In a more chronic case
the muscle may only present as painful to
palpate and there would be restriction in
forelimb protraction.
(Below) This forelimb stretch can
be used to assess the range of
movement of the triceps and also
be used in treatment.
Physiotherapy treatment
of radial nerve injury
Alf presented with a left forelimb lameness
after coming in from the field. He had a kick
to the front of his shoulder. The vet was
called and the wound was dressed. He was
given a course of anti-inflammatory drugs
and antibiotics and was put on box rest. The
wound healed well but the horse remained
lame and developed marked muscle
wastage of the muscles around his shoulder
girdle. The elbow dropped and he could not
bring his limb forward. He was diagnosed
with a radial nerve injury, which probably
occurred when he was kicked. The vet
referred him for physiotherapy treatment.
On physiotherapy assessment he presented
with severe muscle wastage and muscle
spasm in the surrounding muscles, which
were trying to compensate for the weakness
in the shoulder girdle. He received
neuromuscular electrical stimulation to build
up the muscle bulk and strength alongside
manual techniques to release the secondary
muscle spasm and a passive range of
movement exercises to the shoulder and
elbow. The owners undertook an exercise
programme to strengthen and stabilise the
shoulder girdle. This was progressed to
walking in hand, to walking over poles, to
ridden work in walk and eventually back
into full work. The horse is now back
competing and there is no evidence of the
radial nerve injury.
In the physiotherapy treatment of
lameness a detailed assessment is
crucial, as is working as part of a team
to ensure the best management of the
horse at the appropriate time.
If you would like to find out more
about physiotherapy or to find a
chartered physiotherapist in your area
please go to www.acpat.org.
(Above) Muscle wastage