ORTHOPAEDIC CONDITIONS

Dogs can suffer from a variety of orthopaedic conditions, the most common of these are dysplasia in the elbows or hips, osteoarthritis, luxating patella and cruciate ligament tears. Orthopaedic conditions effect the dogs bones, joints and muscles. The effects they have on the dogs body can be minor to debilitating.

They can cause trigger points, soreness and myofascial pain to occur due to the extra stress put on their body. These symptoms can be helped and relieved by breaking this pain cycle with Clinical Canine Massage.

Osteoarthritis

This is a degenerative joint disease that causes deterioration of the articular cartilage with in the joint. It causes the tissues around the joint to become inflamed and sore. It also causes the joint to become thicker and stiffer. Osteoarthritis develops slowly and can affect any breed.

There are a variety of causes and once triggered it becomes a self-perpetuating process. Some causes can be other orthopaedic conditions like elbow and hip dysplasia, trauma to a joint, previous fracture sites, breed predisposition, activity levels, excess weight and living on slippery floors which adds stress to the joint.

It is normally a condition seen in older dogs due to general wear and tear on the joint. Although it is important to remember that younger dogs can also be affected.

Symptoms range from some or all of the following:

  • Lameness

  • Reduced range of movement

  • Joint stiffness, swelling and creaking

  • Stiffness after rest

  • Change in personality

  • Restlessness

  • Licking areas of pain

  • Lameness after exercise

  • Muscle wastage

Massage can help by giving your dog a sense of relaxation and overall wellbeing, reducing muscle spasms, swelling and joint stiffness, decreasing pain, hypertonic muscles and splinting, relaxing areas of overcompensation and increasing mobility.

Luxating Patella

The term luxating means dislocating. Therefore a luxating patella occurs when the patella dislocates from its normal position. It will cause the dog's leg to lock and they will be unable to place it on the ground, which in turn will cause them to hop. Over a period of time the condition will cause the biomechanics of the knee to change, causing stress to the cruciate ligament. The condition is graded from 1-4 depending on the severity.

The main cause is genetics so are commonly seen as breed specific. However, there are other causes that can effect all breeds. Some of these causes are trauma to the muscle supporting the patella, living on slippery floors, standing on their hind legs, poor nutrition, obesity and over exercise as a puppy.

There are a variety of symptoms ranging from:

  • A popping noise

  • Hopping on the hind leg

  • Swelling around the stifle joint

  • Reduced range of movement

  • Swinging out the back leg

  • Sudden lameness that returns to normal

  • Pain response around affected area

  • Stiffness

Massage can help by reducing pain, stiffness, muscle splinting, overcompensation and tightness in the hind leg muscles. It can also improve mobility and circulation, relaxing and calming your dog and giving them an overall sense of wellbeing.

Hip Dysplasia

Dysplasia means abnormality in development. It occurs when your dog has a shallow hip joint. This means that the ball and socket don't fit together properly. This will cause the joint to be unstable and cause pain, inflammation and bone remodelling. Due to this the hip will be unable to move smoothly and freely.

The main cause is due to genetics with larger breeds being more prone than smaller ones. However, there are other causes for hip dysplasia these include obesity as a puppy, over exercise as a puppy, trauma / injury to the hip, poor nutrition, repetitive strain injuries and under developed pelvic muscle.

There are a variety of symptoms which include:

  • Swinging gait

  • Hind leg weakness

  • Stiffness when getting up

  • Back legs closer together

  • Laxity, inflammation and grating in the joint

  • Reduced range of movement

  • Sitting with one hip splayed out

  • Pain response when touched

Massage can help by relieving the secondary areas of pain that occur from the hip dysplasia. It will improve mobility, flexibility, muscle tone, circulation, gait and balance. It reduces inflammation around the joint, stiffness, joint pain, soreness and tension. It also helps to relieve areas of overcompensation , improves quality on life and gives and overall sense of wellbeing.

Elbow Dysplasia

Dysplasia in the elbow joint can be very complex due to the joint articulating with three bones. If these three bones don't fit together perfectly then abnormalities can develop due to the bones rubbing together and not moving smoothly.

Like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia is mainly caused due to genetics with larger breeds being more prone than smaller ones. However, there are other causes that can trigger it. These include obesity which adds more stress to the joint, over exercise as a puppy, injury / trauma to the joint, engaging in activities that can add stress to the bones whilst the bones are still immature, poor nutrition, excessive protein in a young dogs diet and repetitive strain injuries.

There are a variety of symptoms which include:

  • Limping on one or both fore legs

  • Stiffness after exercise

  • Inflammation and pain in the elbow

  • Tenderness around the joint

  • Throwing themselves down when lying down

  • Bowlegged

  • Disinterest in exercise

  • Stiffness after rest

Massage can help by relieving the secondary areas of pain that occur from elbow dysplasia. It will improve mobility, flexibility, muscle tone, circulation, gait and balance. It reduces inflammation around the joint, stiffness, joint pain, soreness and tension. It also helps to relieve areas of overcompensation, improves quality of life and gives an overall sense of wellbeing.

Cruciate Ligament Damage

The cruciate ligament is a band of tough fibrous tissue that attaches the femur to the tibia to form the stifle joint. If this ligament is damaged it will cause weakness and instability to the joint. Ligament damage is graded from 1-4 depending on the severity.

  • Grade 1 - the damage to the ligament is minimal

  • Grade 2 - the ligament partially tears

  • Grade 3 - the ligament is completely ruptured

  • Grade 4 - the ligament is ripped away from the bone taking pieces of bone with it. This is also known as an avulsion fracture.

Cruciate ligament damage can be caused due to various reasons. The damage can progress through the different stages if the dog is not rested and treated properly. This can then lead to degeneration of the joint and osteoarthritis. The main cause of cruciate ligament damage is old age and the ligament degenerating over time. However, there are other causes such as obesity, hormonal imbalance, quick turn of direction at speed, sudden stopping at speed (ball chasing), living on slippery floors, trauma through rough play and landing badly from a jump.

Depending on the severity, the symptoms can be varied and also change as the injury progresses. The symptoms a dog may show are:

  • Clicking in the stifle

  • Difficulty jumping or getting up after rest

  • Stiffness, limping and crying out in pain

  • Unable to weight bear with toes just touching the floor

  • Stifle held out to the side when standing

  • Heat and swelling around the affected joint

Massage can help by reducing swelling and stiffness, relieving soreness in the muscles around the stifle and areas of overcompensation. Breaking down scar tissue and increasing mobility and circulation. Overall massage can help by improving the dog's quality of life.