Therapeutic Modalities Employed to Restore Reduced Cervicospinal Range of Movement in Horses and Their Limitations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12970/2310-0796.2020.08.01Keywords:
Horse, cervical spine, mobilisation, physiotherapy, ROM.Abstract
The importance of establishing and maintaining full or normal range of movement in articulated joints for both athletic endeavours and a general health viewpoint had been recognised for some time. Specific therapeutic modalities had been established with the aim of both restoring joint range of movement where reductions were recognised and maintaining range following in particular orthopaedic procedures. At the same time barriers to restoring range such as pain, patient anxiety and anatomic mass in larger species had been recognised. Horse’s with longer term, more severe reductions in range were also more difficult to mobilise. It was then important to select treatment modalities that were appropriate for these variations in presentation. Longer standing loss of range of movement with associated severe stiffness in lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebral joint complexes of equids, was a presentation which was best treated with cervical vertebral mobilisation under anaesthetic. Post treatment standing and ridden flexion exercises were advised to assist in maintaining newly acquired range.
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