Fisioterapia na reabilitação de cão submetido a osteotomia e nivelamento do platô tibial: relato de caso

Abstract

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (RLCCr) is a very common orthopedic injury in routine, which can be caused by a degenerative or traumatic process. It is more evident in large dogs, with body weight above 20 kg, mainly females. Animals of the Mastiff, Rottweiler, Labrador Retriever, Bullmastiff, Chow Chow and Pitbull breeds are more predisposed to the occurrence of this disease. The diagnosis of RLCCr should be based on the clinical history, the cranial drawer test and the tibial compression test, and evaluation and confirmation by radiographic examination is important. Treatment can be done conservatively or surgically. The best choice for treatment depending on the weight of the animal, the clinical history and the behavior of the veterinarian. The present work sought to describe the importance of animal physiotherapy in the treatment of an nine-year-old English mastiff bitch, weighing 60Kg with a history of rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament of the left pelvic limb, which underwent a surgical procedure of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. Postoperatively, she underwent 45 physiotherapy sessions, twice a week, where laser therapy sessions were performed in the knee joint region, therapeutic ultrasound in pulsed mode, associated with stretching, obstacle exercises with cones, passive exercises such as sit-up and assisted active exercise, progressive walking, and thalassotherapy. At the end of the physiotherapy sessions, the patient showed no signs of pain in the knee region, she completely supported the affected limb on the ground, managing to unload all the weight on it, so she was referred to medical discharge. The report demonstrates the importance of the surgical technique associated with animal rehabilitation, as it provides the patient with a faster post-surgical recovery, proprioception and gait, always aiming at a better quality of life and well-being for the patient.