Does My Dog Need Physiotherapy After Undergoing Surgery?

by Sarah

Supporting your dog’s recovery after surgery is essential to ensuring they are back to their bouncy self as quickly as possible, which is why starting a course of physiotherapy is a good idea. 

If your dog has undergone a major operation, such as spinal procedures, fracture or cruciate ligament repairs, amputations or hip or elbow dysplasia surgery, then it is important they receive as much help as possible to feel well in themselves again and be able to move as comfortably and freely as they used to. 

How does physiotherapy help?

There are many benefits to dog physiotherapy in London after significant surgery, which all support your companion returning to their normal activities and their usual self. 

- Reduce pain and swelling

The original injury, as well as the trauma from the operation, can leave your dog with lots of pain and inflammation in the area. That is why they need proper care after their surgery.

In order to reduce the swelling and discomfort, different treatments may be used, from heat therapy to laser therapy. 

For instance, Class IV Therapeutic Laser therapy reduces the inflammation and pain. At the same time, it speeds up the repair of tissue damage and helps the injury to heal more quickly. 

Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy is also effective on pain and swelling, and is particularly useful for dogs that have experienced fractures.

- Prevents muscle loss

Dogs that have been put on mandatory rest after surgery are at risk of losing some muscle, making it harder to walk and run as much as they used to. Therefore, basic physiotherapy exercises can help to prevent their muscles from shrinking and maintain their strength. 

If muscles have weakened, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation is useful at strengthening them again, even after a long break post-surgery. 

- Encourage movement

By reducing muscle loss as much as possible, this helps dogs to get back to their normal range of motion as quickly as possible. 

Stretching their muscles, reducing stiffness through hydrotherapy, and manual therapy to help mobilise joints will enable canines to improve their flexibility and movement. 

- Improve posture

Physiotherapy can also help dogs improve their posture, so they don’t incur more injuries in the future. This also means they can co-ordinate their movement better and have a better sense of balance. 

So if you want your canine to be fit and active again, it is certainly worth considering different types of physiotherapy that target your dog’s specific needs and challenges.