Clean Run - June 2013 - 59

Symptoms & Diagnostics
When the sacrum and pelvis are out of alignment and not moving together properly, the sacrotuberous ligament can become taut and inflamed. Eventually, this
will interfere with rear leg muscle function, resulting in abnormal locomotion and
ultimately creating pain or discomfort. Or, if the muscles that attach to or run along
this ligament become tight or spasm, then they may pull against this ligament and
create discomfort and inflammation. The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that originates off of the spinal cord at the lower lumbars and then traipses over the ischium
bone of the pelvis and then down the back of the leg. It is in close association to
the sacrotuberous ligament and its surrounding tissues. If the muscles and fascia
become tight in this area, they may entrap the nerve. This can be very painful or
result in neurological deficits and a dysfunctional limb.
Depending on the degree of pain, tension, and inflammation of the ligament, this
injury may be very subtle to the owner or there may be intermittent lameness and
favoring of the affected limb (especially after first getting up) or the dog may acutely carry the leg. It is often misdiagnosed as a torn cranial cruciate ligament. When
symptoms are mild the owner notices that the dog refuses to do certain tasks like
jump in/out of the car or go up/down stairs. The dog may not sit squarely and he
may lean off of the affected side. When the injury is chronic there may be atrophy of
the thigh muscles of the affected leg. The passive range of motion of the affected leg
may be tight or resisted. The base of the tail as it comes off the dog my hang more
toward the affected leg. The dog may chew at the back end on one side. Also, there
may be a history of anal gland problems of the gland that is on the affected side.

The only way to really diagnose this
ailment is by palpation coupled with
symptoms. The ligament is not external
and the clinician will need to check the
tension and pain response by applying
direct contact and pressure on the ligament and by pushing on the apex of
the sacrum at the tail base in a lateral to
medial direction. Also, any of the bones
of the pelvis, sacrum, tail base, and lower lumbar vertebrae will be out of alignment. Again, an experienced veterinary
chiropractor will be able to determine
these anatomical changes.
Treatments & Therapies
Treatment is similar to that for other
ligament injuries. Resting, restricted exercise, and stopping the activities that
aggravate the symptoms will allow the
tissues to calm down and heal. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories in pharmaceutical form or all-natural form are
necessary. The inflammation will build

Sacrotuberous ligament tension can cause minor to severe lameness and/or dysfunctional use of a rear limb.

MOVE-iT !
®

Tired of dragging your A-frame to move
it while simultaneously ruining your turf?
Can’t move it by yourself? The Move It! is a
revolutionary device that allows one person
to move an A-frame without any lifting.

Roll one home TODAY!

See the full line of
NoseTouch.com innovative products:

www.nosetouch.com
888-711-PETS (7387)
Also available at:

www.cleanrun.com • 800-311-6503
June 13

| Clean Run

http://www.nosetouch.com http://www.NoseTouch.com http://www.nosetouch.com http://www.cleanrun.com

Clean Run - June 2013

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