Why is Post-Surgical Rehabilitation so Important?
After injury and post-surgery, rest and controlled activity is very important for our pets. However, the longer the body is inactive, the more muscle atrophy will occur. Getting our patients back to structured activity is extremely important for the healing process. This is why we recommend rehabilitation therapy after surgical procedures.
The general goal of physical rehabilitation is to return the patient and affected body part to maximum functional activity through the use of non-invasive massage and exercises and to minimize or reverse functional impairments.
After surgery, rehabilitation therapy can be beneficial for your pet by:
- Reducing inflammation and pain after surgery
- Promoting early weight bearing
- Strengthening supporting tissues
- Decrease discomfort (reducing the need for continued pain relief)
- Decreasing compensatory muscle, myofascial, and back pain
- Providing mental stimulation for pets who have had restricted activity
- Improving coordination and balance
- Reversing muscle atrophy
- Promoting weight loss if needed
- Developing structured homework program
- Safely promoting faster return to function
- Preserving surgical interventions
- Maintaining or improving quality of life
- Prevent future injury
Our Rehabilitation programs are developed for your pet Individually based on their specific problems and their unique journey to recovery.
Depending on the case:
- Massage
- Stretching
- Exercise therapy
- Cryotherapy
- Swimming/hydrotherapy
- a variety of exercises or any combination of these methods may be used in your pet’s program.
By creating a structured plan for your pets rehabilitation program, you will be able to obtain the knowledge and confidence to continue your pets journey to recovery in the comfort of your own home, with appointments at the clinic as often as you and your pet need
We are here for you and will continue to support you, updating and adjusting the program as your pet improves and strengthens at their own pace.