The Basics
- IVDD results in either pain or neurologic deficits after the disk moves out of the normal position between each vertebral body and causes either compression or concussion of the spinal cord.
- The injury occurs in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar sections of the spine, symptoms and prognosis differ based on the location. The lesion is localized by neurologic exam and imaging.
Our patients with IVDD
- Dogs with pain or mild neurologic deficits.
- Dogs with pain, paralysis and significant neurologic deficits.
- Dogs post-op surgical decompression in varying stages of recovery.
- Dogs whose recovery and progress have stalled.
- Dogs needing custom fitting for carts, orthotics or other assist devices.
- Dogs needing assistance with bowel or bladder management during recovery.
How Does Rehabilitation Help?
- Control of pain and swelling with use of cryotherapy, electrical stimulation, LASER, PEMF, acupuncture and massage.
- Therapeutic exercise to regain strength, balance and ideal motor function.
- Targeted therapy to regain proprioceptive awareness and coordination.
- Underwater or land treadmill to build strength, stamina and allow for gait retraining and patterning.
- Identify proper use and fit of assist devices such as carts and harnesses.
- The addition of acupuncture which is understood to be effective in improvement of neurologic function in medically or surgically managed cases of IVDD.
