Lesson 1Neurological screening relevant to hind limb function (reflexes, proprioception)This lesson covers simple neurological checks for dogs after CCL surgery, focusing on back leg reflexes, position sense tests, and understanding odd results to tell apart bone pain from nerve problems that could change 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 lesson points out warning signs and reasons not to start rehab in dogs after CCL surgery, like infections, open wounds, bad pain, fever, ongoing discharge, heavy limping, or nerve issues, and what to do next including who to call.
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 lesson teaches step-by-step feeling of the operated leg and nearby areas to find pain, swelling, fluid buildup, warmth, and surgery problems, while keeping the dog comfortable and not stressing the fresh 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 lesson details special bone and joint tests after TPLO or other CCL fixes, like adjusted drawer test, shin bone push, and meniscus checks, with advice on when to do them safely and what results mean right after surgery.
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 lesson looks at dog behaviour and stress after CCL surgery, teaching how to spot fear, worry, and pain signs, and using calm handling, home changes, and owner help to make the dog more willing to join in.
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 lesson shows how to pick and record starting measures for dogs after CCL surgery, using easy forms to track pain, movement, walking, and leg use, so you have good data to check progress and talk to 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 lesson teaches how to get a full history and check surgery reports for dogs after CCL surgery, picking out important facts like surgery type, findings during operation, problems, and surgeon rules that guide rehab.
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 lesson focuses on correct knee joint movement measurement with tools, showing body points, dog positions, normal ranges, and recording ways to watch healing and plan next exercises.
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 lesson describes careful watching of dog walking after CCL surgery, checking standing pose, slow walk, fast trot, and weight moves, with tips for video, notes, and linking to other exam results.
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 lesson explains ways to check muscle size and evenness in dogs after CCL surgery, using thigh tape measures, feeling main muscles, grading wasting, and using results to plan strength building.
Landmarks for thigh circumference measurementPalpation of quadriceps and hamstring groupsAtrophy grading scales and documentationComparing operated and contralateral limbsLinking deficits to targeted strengthening
