Romulus

Physiotherapist report – Romulus Sharma-Woodland 20/12/21 Romulus has a history of Forelimb lameness, incongruence in the hips and elbow joints and partial LH lameness suspected to be his cruciate. MRI scans have been viewed from Referring Orthopaedic Vet. Subjective: Romulus is BAR, continues to be on Metacam as per veterinary advice. Owner is adapting rations accordingly to reflect reduced exercise. Currently 4x short walks per day. Owner reports difficulty walking for more than 5-10 minutes, will rest or is reluctant. Owner feels FL lameness is the priority at present. Extremely excitable and exercise based approach was adopted. Objective ROM: LH when sitting is extended in abduction. Weight is shifted to the right in the sit. In stance reluctant to pick up the RH and bare weight onto the LH. Some Left tarsal crepitus and reduced tarsal flexion, is reluctant to fully palpate. Hip extension unknown. FL protraction reduced 30% bilaterally, elbow extension resisted, LF carpus painful on flexion and mild heat and swelling on dorsal aspect. Palpation: Hypo-tonicity is present LH, hypertrophy RH (Biceps femoris), gracilis is hypertonic and hypertrophic on the right. Trigger points and spasming bilaterally down caudal boarder of the latissimus dorsi aand extending into lumbar region. Shoulder hypotrophy on left. Action: Assessed posture, joints and muscle tone, exercise based approach, kinesiotape on the LF carpus and encourage to use exercise plan to get pain under control. – Look at making Carpus support to aid movement and confidence.- Seeing Vet next week, checking carpus. - Massage – slow like kneeding bread on the forelimbs, up from elbow and into the back towards tail, tapping and fast on the left hindlimb . 10 minutes per day. - Hot water bottle – May use 10 minutes over lower back and shoulders (watch for burns, hot water bottles should always have a cover on them). - Sit to stands - Ensure all 4 paws face forwards, full sit to full stand. 20x per day. - Weave around obstacle -10x round the obstacle, slow walk, ensure we have good weight distribution from left to right - Amend walking – cut down and monitor (2x a day plus exercises) then increase or adapt as Romulus is able, note down any changes in a diary and this may aid changes (weather, walk, how it went) e.g Warm dry, 10 minutes, limped LF today. Becky Black BSc (Hons) AdvCertVPhys ClinEd(AccMdx) RCH MIRVAP(VP)