Author(s): Dr. Betsy Von Trapp, Von Trapp Animal Lodge, Savannah, GA
Signalment
Canine, 8 years old, F/S, mixed canine, “Roxie”
History
The patient had previously undergone a TPLO surgery
Diagnostics and Exam Findings:
A physical examination indicated positive cranial drawer sign & swelling in the right stifle and diagnostic analysis via Companion Stance Analyzer revealed decreased weight bearing in the right pelvic limb. Diagnosis was cranial cruciate ligament tear.
Laser Treatment
The preset “pain/trauma” protocol was used to deliver a deep tissue fluence (~15J/cm²) to the right stifle for 9 weeks.
Stance Analyzer
Stance analysis revealed sustained improvement throughout the treatment period. Initially, the right pelvic limb supported 9% of total body weight (normally 20%). Within 7 weeks, this improved to 16%. It is also important to note the primary limb of compensation (left foreleg) showed improvement as well, initially bearing 42% total body weight (normally 30%) and resulting in 35% by week 7.
Other Treatments
Oral NSAID
Comments
Muscle girth was noted to increase by several centimeters (2cm) within 4 months, as well as normalization of weight-bearing for each limb. This would be consistent with improved mobility and conditioning provided by the UWTM in addition to photobiomodulation treatments.
Stance Readings
