Lesson 1Neurological screening relevant to hind limb function (reflexes, proprioception)This section reviews focused neurological screening for post-op CCL dogs, emphasizing hind limb reflexes, proprioceptive tests, and interpretation of abnormal findings to distinguish orthopedic pain from neurologic disease that may alter rehab plans.
Key neuroanatomy for pelvic limb assessmentPatellar, withdrawal, and cranial tibial reflexesPaw placement and hopping proprioceptive testsDifferentiating orthopedic pain from neurologic deficitsWhen to refer for advanced neurologic evaluationLesson 2Red flags and contraindications before therapy (infection, dehiscence, uncontrolled pain, fever, persistent drainage, severe lameness, neurological deficits)This section identifies clinical red flags and contraindications to rehabilitation in post-op CCL dogs, including infection, wound dehiscence, uncontrolled pain, systemic illness, and neurologic decline, and outlines appropriate responses and referral pathways.
Systemic signs: fever, lethargy, and inappetenceIncision problems: dehiscence, drainage, infectionIndicators of uncontrolled or escalating painSevere lameness and new neurologic deficitsDecision trees for pausing therapy and referralLesson 3Palpation techniques: identifying pain, swelling, effusion, and surgical site issuesThis section covers systematic palpation of the operated limb and surrounding regions, teaching methods to detect pain, swelling, effusion, heat, and surgical site complications, while minimizing patient discomfort and protecting recent repairs.
Patient positioning and handler safetyPalpation of stifle joint capsule and effusionAssessing periarticular soft tissues and incisionsGrading pain responses and guarding behaviorsRecognizing signs of infection or implant problemsLesson 4Orthopedic special tests relevant after TPLO/CCL repair (stifle drawer, tibial thrust, meniscal signs)This section details orthopedic special tests used after TPLO or extracapsular CCL repair, including modified drawer and tibial thrust, and evaluation for meniscal injury, with guidance on timing, safety, and interpretation in the post-operative period.
Indications and timing for post‑op special testsModified cranial drawer test techniqueTibial compression and tibial thrust assessmentMeniscal click, pain, and entrapment signsWhen testing is contraindicated or deferredLesson 5Behavioral and stress assessment: handling strategies and anxiety mitigationThis section addresses behavioral and stress assessment in post-op CCL dogs, teaching recognition of fear, anxiety, and pain-related behaviours, and outlining low-stress handling, environmental modification, and owner involvement strategies to improve cooperation.
Reading canine stress and pain body languageLow‑stress handling and positioning optionsUse of rewards, breaks, and consent cuesEnvironmental modifications to reduce anxietyOwner coaching to support calm participationLesson 6Documentation templates and baseline outcome metric selection (which measures to record)This section explains how to select and document baseline outcome measures for post-op CCL cases, using structured templates to track pain, function, gait, and limb use, ensuring consistent data for progress evaluation and communication with the surgeon.
Essential elements of initial rehab intake formsChoosing pain and lameness scoring systemsRecording gait, weight bearing, and activity levelsUsing functional tests as baseline benchmarksData organization for follow‑up and reportingLesson 7Standardized history taking and surgical report review (key details to extract)This section explains how to obtain a structured history and review surgical reports for post-op CCL patients, highlighting key details such as procedure type, intraoperative findings, complications, and surgeon restrictions that shape the rehab plan.
Owner interview: pre‑injury and current functionClarifying medications, activity, and home setupExtracting key data from surgical reportsIdentifying intraoperative complications and notesTranslating surgical details into rehab precautionsLesson 8Range of motion measurement: goniometry landmarks and normal values for canine stifleThis section focuses on accurate stifle range of motion measurement using goniometry, including anatomical landmarks, patient positioning, normal reference values, and documentation methods to monitor recovery and guide exercise progression.
Selecting and calibrating a canine goniometerLandmarks for stifle flexion and extensionStandardized patient positioning and restraintNormal ROM values and post‑op expectationsRecording and trending ROM over timeLesson 9Visual gait analysis: static posture, walking, trotting, weight shift observationsThis section describes structured visual gait analysis for post-op CCL patients, including static posture, walking and trotting evaluation, and weight shift patterns, with tips for video capture, documentation, and integration with other exam findings.
Static posture and conformation observationsWalk and trot pattern assessmentIdentifying head, hip, and trunk compensationsSimple weight shift and stance testsUsing video to document and compare gaitLesson 10Muscle mass and symmetry assessment: thigh circumference, muscle palpation, muscle atrophy gradingThis section explains methods for assessing muscle mass and symmetry in post-op CCL dogs, including standardized thigh circumference measurements, palpation of key muscle groups, grading atrophy, and using findings to tailor strengthening plans.
Landmarks for thigh circumference measurementPalpation of quadriceps and hamstring groupsAtrophy grading scales and documentationComparing operated and contralateral limbsLinking deficits to targeted strengthening
