Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Brachial plexus avulsion: this is the pathology at the centre of the study “Conservative physiotherapy treatment in 4 patients with brachial plexus avulsion”, in which 3 dogs and a cat were treated using a specific clinical rehabilitation protocol consisting of applications of MLS® Laser Therapy, diathermy and exercises.
The treatment led to a total recovery of autonomous movements in 50% of cases. Based on the analysis of the results, it emerged that the success rate was strongly correlated to the time between the diagnosis and the start of the rehabilitation: when the therapy was started 5 days after the diagnosis, the recovery was 100%.
An outcome resulting from a process divided into four phases:
- in the first, the non-ambulatory patient underwent daily physiotherapy for the first week with sessions of electro-stimulation, MLS® Laser Therapy and diathermy;
- in the second phase, having obtained that the paw supports the weight, we proceeded with three weekly sessions, in which the instrumental techniques were flanked by massages to relax contractures and stimulate muscle function, by walking training sessions with linear obstacles and by proprioceptive exercises.
- The third phase, resulting from the progressive increase in the weight-bearing frequency of the limb, consisted in intensifying the difficulty and duration of the exercises. At the same time, the therapy was carried out three times a week and the animal also underwent hydrotherapy to strengthen the muscles and facilitate the mentalisation for using the limb.
- Once the paw became independent, the final phase was marked by two weekly therapy sessions, subsequently reduced to one until discharge.