{"id":741,"date":"2020-07-07T19:42:46","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T23:42:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pawsitivestepsrehab.com\/blog\/?p=741"},"modified":"2020-07-09T16:29:37","modified_gmt":"2020-07-09T20:29:37","slug":"rehabilitation-evaluations-orthopedic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pawsitivestepsrehab.com\/blog\/rehabilitation-evaluations-orthopedic\/","title":{"rendered":"Rehabilitation Evaluations- Orthopedic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Cathryn Adolph, LVT, CCRP, CCFT<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Limb measurements (aka muscle mass) measurements are taken during an initial evaluation.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Our rehabilitation evaluations involve an extensive physical examination designed to assess your pet from an orthopedic, muscular and neurological standpoint. We do this by assessing your pet\u2019s posture, gait, joints, reflexes, and muscles (soft tissue).\u00a0 This evaluation is quite comprehensive, so we will be covering it in detail over the next several entries. Today we will cover how we evaluate your pet orthopedically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Orthopedic<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Orthopedics is a branch of medicine involving the musculoskeletal system of the body.  The musculoskeletal system is comprised of bones, joints, ligaments (connects bones to other bones), tendons (connects muscles to bones), and muscles.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Posture & Gait<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Each rehabilitation evaluation begins with observation of your pet\u2019s posture and gait. We take videos to help assess gait and also monitor changes over time. Orthopedic conditions can cause restrictions in range of motion in affected joints.  Sometimes these restrictions can actually cause poor posture while standing, sitting, and even laying down.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gait analysis is a critical aspect of an rehabilitation evaluation, as it is used in the orthopedic and neurologic assessments.  Signs of lameness from musculoskeletal origin include (but are not limited to):<\/p>\n\n\n\n