|
Post by Debbie on Aug 29, 2015 13:12:18 GMT 10
Hi Tom, I have a male greyhound that went to a vet to have a chip removed in the front o/s wrist but whilst on the operating table the vet said he had a mini stroke. On picking him up he was dragging his o/s back leg which I was most distressed about. After some 6 months of walking, massage and free galloping and plenty of patience he can now run ok but this back leg has a circling slow movement when walking on a treadmill. I have tried ultra sound machine, laser and magnetic blanket on this limb. I am not sure if a muscle contractor would help as there is little wasting in any muscle. I also, would not know where to actual put it.? Could you offer any advice on this problem and where I should concentrate my efforts on. The vet offered little advice apart from praying (his words ) I feel he is improving. He was a dog with great ability 1 start - 1 win x 10 lengths. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
|
|
|
Post by Tom Meulman on Aug 30, 2015 21:11:31 GMT 10
Hi Debbie,
This really is a difficult one simply because it is difficult to try and judge just what effect the original stroke damage is currently having on the functionality of the hind leg, or if the effects you are seeing are the result of the running the boy has done since that unfortunate occurrence without being able to thoroughly examining him, and test nerve function as applicable.
What I can tell you however is that in most instances any rotational or uncoordinated sideways movement of the hind limb as visible by watching foot movement is due to damage in the hip muscle (gluteal) as it is the function of this muscle to hold the hind limb in a specific alignment while other muscles move it forward and backward. On rare occasions scar tissue in the top section of the thigh muscle (Lateral vastus) and or scar tissue in the hip support triangle muscle (tensor fascia lata) can also have the same effect.
In this case taking a guess I would be inclined to think that any after effect of the stroke has been overcome, as if it was not it would show as a weakness in the leg and far more uncoordinated movement than just some rotation when walking.
My advice would be to carefully examine the muscles I have mentioned and keep in mind that it is helpful in determining if muscle damage has taken place in any of these areas if you in fact feel both the muscles on the left and the right hind limb at the same time as this will allow you to compare the size, texture, and attachments of each individual muscle and section of muscle with the one on the opposite leg.
At least that will give you a more focussed area to work on, and I must admit that in most instances any muscle weakness or poor muscle function of any muscle is best treated by using a Faradic current muscle contractor, or a TENS unit with a muscle re-education/contracting setting. This type of treatment can be very beneficial in strengthening the hip muscle so that it holds the hind limb in a better line, as well as improving functionality in the tensor fascia lata, and lateral vastus.
Cheers, Tom
|
|
|
Post by Tom Meulman on Aug 31, 2015 5:29:37 GMT 10
Further to the above: Hi Debbie,
You asked a question in regard to where you would actually place the TENS.
Both a TENS and a Feradic current muscle contractor function via electricity, and as such have electrodes through which that electricity enters the muscle being treated, and both cause the muscle to contract.
However they both do this in a different manner.
A Faradic current muscle contractor causes a muscle contraction by overloading the muscle with current, and for this type of treatment to function correctly the unit has a positive and negative electrode. The negative electrode generally consists of a metal plate that sits inside a shammy leather pouch with a sponge. This is soaked in water and then strapped under the dogs chest to provide a good earth for anywhere on the body a muscle contraction is required. This contraction is then achieved by placing the positive electrode which in some units has a small section of shammy and sponge that requires whetting on a handle, or simply a round metal contact point, on the body of the muscle being treated. The muscle being treated also needs to be wet through to the skin for a good electrical contact to occur.
These units generally have controls that allow both the contraction rate and the intensity of the contraction to be adjusted, with the rate at which contractions occur being set to roughly equivalent to a slow heartbeat, and the intensity knob which must be set to zero when the unit is turned on, slowly turned up until full but comfortable contractions occur in the muscle. With these units it is generally sufficient treatment to do just 10 or 12 full contractions at each daily treatment session.
It needs to be remembered that Faradic current treatment units while certainly not fatal can cause a scary electric shock to the dog if the earth connection is not fully functional, or the operator if they come in contact with the positive electrode while it is switched on and producing a muscle contracting current.
A TENS while causing a contraction in the muscle tissue does this by virtue of an electric pulse that mimics a more natural muscle contraction, and for it to function one of a pair of contact electrodes are placed on each end of the muscle being treated, with electrical contact being achieved by using ultrasound gel as a contact agent.
There is more info on TENS units and treatment in the top information section of this site under the heading Injury Treatment Devices.
Cheers, Tom
|
|