Osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant cause of chronic pain and functional limitations in dogs. While rehabilitation practices are often part of the treatment strategy, quantifiable data regarding joint mobility and muscular adaptations from structured exercise programs remain sparse. This study aimed to assess changes in passive range of motion (PROM) and limb circumference in dogs diagnosed with OA following a five-week therapeutic exercise program.
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Twenty-one client-owned dogs were enrolled and participated in a standardized rehabilitation protocol that included three sessions each week. Measurements of joint goniometry and limb circumference were taken before and after the intervention. Improvements in joint mobility were defined by a reduction in deviation from established reference midpoints.
Results indicated that extension movements of the joints saw greater increases in PROM compared to flexions, with the hip joint showing the most significant response. Notably, pelvic limb musculature exhibited greater circumference increases compared to thoracic limb musculature, particularly in the thigh region. Body weight and trunk circumferences remained stable throughout the study, although individual variability in response to therapy was evident.
The findings indicate that a structured exercise rehabilitation program can lead to measurable improvements in joint mobility and muscle mass in dogs with OA. This supports the integration of targeted therapeutic exercise into a multimodal management approach for orthopedic conditions.
The study involved careful inclusion criteria, excluding dogs with acute trauma, neurologic disorders, or systemic diseases that could affect mobility. Although most dogs were already receiving treatments for their OA prior to enrollment, no new analgesic protocols were implemented during the study. Objective assessments included goniometric measurements and limb circumference evaluations, with a focus on joint motion and muscle mass changes.
The results suggested that continuous, controlled physical activity plays a vital role in maintaining muscle tone and joint function, emphasizing the benefits of rehabilitation in managing canine osteoarthritis. However, due to the study's observational nature and lack of a control group, attributing the observed effects solely to the rehabilitation program warrants caution.
In conclusion, the changes seen in joint mobility and muscle circumference post-exercise indicate that structured rehabilitation could effectively contribute to OA management in dogs, although future studies implementing controlled designs are needed to further validate these findings.