Clean Run - April 2013 - 27

when chronic, and is usually worse after activity. Many times a ilipsoas injury is
misdiagnosed as a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury. The dog may lean off the
affected limb or gingerly use the leg when ambulating or have a shorter stride on
the side of the injury. He may stand or sit with the leg externally rotated at the hip
of the affected side. Some dogs may be reluctant to extend the spine and the hip
joint on the affected leg, which can be demonstrated when they refuse to jump
into the car, onto the bed, or over a jump. They may avoid laterally flexing their
spine and may show this by popping out of the weave poles. These symptoms
may improve or dissipate with rest, but usually for only a short period of time if
not healed properly.
Diagnostic tests may be helpful by identifying the tissues involved or ruling out
some of the other potential causes of the rear-limb lameness. Since this is a soft tissue injury, x-rays are only helpful if the injury is chronic and there is mineralization
visible in the muscle. Ultrasound by a skilled sonographer can be very diagnostic
since it will show tissue damage, hemorrhage, or edema in the muscle. CT and MRI
scans may be necessary as well, but they require an anesthetized patient and are
costly to perform. One of the quickest and easiest ways to diagnose iliopsoas muscle injuries is by palpation. When a skilled rehabilitation practitioner extends the
hips and internally rotates the leg or abducts the leg at the same time, the patient
will show pain or discomfort. Also, when palpating the iliopsoas muscle while it is
in tension, trigger points and muscle spasms may be felt. In addition, there may be
pain when the tendon is palpated where it inserts on the inside of the femur and
this indicates there is iliopsoas muscle pathology. Gait analysis via visual observation and a force-platform system is helpful. Also, documenting any asymmetry in
thigh muscle girth will clue the practitioner that the patient is not fully using the
atrophied limb. Blood work may be warranted to rule out infections or metabolic
causes, like Cushings disease, for example.

Treatments & Therapies
Medical Management & Rehabilitation
Muscle and tendon injuries may take
many weeks to months to fully heal
and if not treated properly will result in
permanent scar tissue, fibrosis, and ultimately decreased function. Rehabilitation should be prescribed and performed by a trained veterinarian or
a trained professional with veterinary
oversight and follow the phases of soft
tissue healing.
A conservative approach to treating
acute iliopsoas muscle injury would
be medicine, rest, and icing. Medical
management may consist of pain killers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories
(NSAIDs), and/or muscle relaxants.
Rehabilitation modalities that can
help manage the pain and inflammation and disuse are thermotherapy
(cold/heat), passive range of motion,
low-level laser treatments, electrical
stimulation, pulsed ultrasound, extracorporeal shockwave, acupuncture,
therapeutic exercises, massage, and
chiropractic. Later, strengthening exer-

Laser Therapy and Pulsing Electro
Magnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy Systems
For over 25 years, Respond Systems has made unprecedented
therapy equipment for the treatment of soft tissue pain and
stiﬀness caused by injury, arthritis and other degenerative
disease…but did you know our PEMF therapy beds can also be
used as part of your dog’s warm-up and cool-down routines?
Keep your dog supple and sound with regular PEMF therapy.

“I LOVE my laser! My dogs are all doing awesome. Three dogs, three diﬀerent problems, and everything
is going great.” –Karen Holik, 6-time USA World Agility Team member
“I was initially intimidated by the idea of lasering my dog at home, but it was simple to do and
the treatments healed what had become a chronic iliopsoas injury. Now my boy is symptom-free.”
–Monica Percival, 23-year agility competitor and editor of Clean Run

Buy, rent, or rent to own a laser or PEMF device today! • www.respondsystems.com • 800-722-1228
April 13

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Clean Run - April 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - April 2013