Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation for Pets

The goal of rehabilitation is simple: to decrease pain and restore function. Just as physical therapy is considered the standard of care to address most, if not all, orthopedic conditions (both operative and non-operative) in humans, veterinary rehabilitation is a vital part of post-operative care or the first-line treatment for nonsurgical conditions in pets.

At Fusion Veterinary Orthopedics, we have a team of highly trained and experienced veterinary rehabilitation therapists to help your pet regain and maintain their strength, fitness and quality of life.

How does rehabilitation help?

Rehabilitation helps to speed the healing process by improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and enhancing muscle strength. In patients that have undergone surgery, rehabilitation also provides an outlet of energy during the post-op period when exercise is restricted.

Plus, rehabilitation helps keep the tissues healthy and flexible to minimize re-injury or soft-tissue strains once your pet resumes their normal activity.

What does rehabilitation include?

Your pet’s rehabilitation program is tailored to their unique needs and may include:

Manual therapies such as applying heat/cold, passive range of motion exercises, stretching, and massage. These therapies start early and continue throughout the healing process.
Therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, extracorporeal shockwave (sound) therapy (ECSWT), photo biomodulation (laser therapy), and underwater treadmill therapy.
Therapeutic exercises to engage your pet and begin the active phases of rehab; exercises to improve balance, reduce muscular fatigue, and build core strength are performed under the guidance of our rehabilitation team.
Home exercises to augment the formal rehabilitation program with specific exercises performed at home between rehab sessions. This optimizes your pet’s ability to progress and build strength throughout the healing process.

Schedule a consultation

If you or your primary care veterinarian would like to discuss how your pet could benefit from a well-designed rehabilitation program, please schedule a consultation by calling 301.778.7781 or request an appointment online.

Advanced Orthopedics

Sports Medicine and Rehab