Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2018; 31(S 02): A1-A25
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1668197
Podium Abstracts
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Postoperative Rehabilitation Protocols following Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair: A Survey of Veterinary Surgeons

Jennifer S. Eiermann
1   Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,
,
Kristin Kirkby-Shaw
2   Animal Surgical Clinic of Seattle, Shoreline, Washington, United States
,
Richard B. Evans
3   University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
,
Sebastian C. Knell
1   Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,
,
Michael P. Kowaleski
4   Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts, United States
,
Philipp A. Schmierer
1   Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,
,
Mary Sarah Bergh
5   Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, Iowa, United States
,
Jason Bleedorn
6   University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
,
Laura Cuddy
7   University College Dublin, Ireland
,
Nina R. Kieves
8   Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States
,
Peter Lotsikas
9   Skylos Sports Medicine, Elliott City, Maryland, United States
,
Antonio Pozzi
1   Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
27 July 2018 (online)

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Introduction: Postoperative rehabilitation following stabilization surgery in cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) deficient dogs has increasingly gained interest within the veterinary community, although evidence for its effectiveness is still lacking. The goal of this study was to investigate the clinical practices and current attitudes of veterinary surgeons toward postoperative rehabilitation after surgery for CrCL insufficiency as groundwork for future research.

Materials and Methods: An online survey was administered to members of the ACVS/ECVS, ACVSMR, VOS, DVG and recipients of the OrthoVetSuperSite's e-newsletter. The survey contained 18 questions covering multiple postoperative rehabilitation topics.

Results: A total of 376 responses were received. Only 1.9% of respondents did not recommend postoperative rehabilitation after CrCL surgery. Ice pack without compression was the most frequently used rehabilitation technique prior to discharge from the hospital; passive range of motion was the second most common prior to discharge. Furthermore, a significantly higher percentage of respondents were more likely to recommend postoperative rehabilitation after extra-capsular stabilization (17.0%) than after osteotomies (9.3%) (p = 0.0142).

Discussion/Conclusion: The majority of respondents recommended postoperative physical rehabilitation. However, major differences between how strongly rehabilitation is recommended were noticeable. It is possible that the lack of agreement on a standard approach to rehabilitation after CrCL surgery is due to the lack of strong evidence demonstrating the efficacy and benefits of postoperative rehabilitation, and specific recommendations regarding the rehabilitation protocol. Based on our results we conclude that a set of guidelines on postoperative CrCL surgery rehabilitation may be beneficial to guide surgeons in their recommendations.

Acknowledgement: There was no proprietary interest or funding provided for this project.