Traditional treatment of small animals following orthopedic surgical procedures generally involves restriction of activity, and in some cases, restriction to a crate. Neurosurgical patients present another set of challenges in that they may be willing to be active, but they may have sensory or motor deficits that hinder progress. Deleterious changes that are typically associated with restriction of motion and limb use are of serious concern. A number of factors must be considered in the complex equation of tissue healing and tissue mobilization on one hand, and fixation failure and tissue damage on the other hand.
When considering the benefits of early, active use of a limb following surgery versus the risks of such activity, the physiological and pathological changes that occur in muscles, articular cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and bones must be considered. The type of injury and the strength of the repair are of equal importance. Methods to encourage...