First the damage to the skin and tissue architecture, second the muscular problems which then occur, thirdly the nerves involved in the damage, fourthly the lymphatic system is brought into play for drainage and finally the blood vessels are affected. By using physiotherapy appropriately at specific stages, the recovery cycle can be activated rather than the injury cycle. Injury produces pain and muscle spasm. This spasm reduced circulation and the muscles tend to atrophy from lack of blood flow. Ligaments become strained by the pressure of working in connection which results in loss of movement.
Adhesion occurs and then tearing of muscles can be a consequence, so injury is prolonged.
The key to the cycle is blood circulation since inhibited blood flow reduces chances of recovery. We saw slides of the various machines which are useful for removing pain, stimulating muscle repair and increasing oxygen supply, and then learned how physiotherapy re-educates the limbs to move correctly while actively strengthening the muscles. To ensure that such compensatory movement does not become habitual, you need to firstly encourage injured tissue to heal in the optimum position, and then actively strengthen the related muscles in the correct range and direction. We were given a quick anatomy lecture on ligament structure and development, and the function to restrict the range of movement in the bones was explained. Cruciate ligament injury or breakage is a common condition in Rottweilers and among other breeds, and advice on how to improve post-operative recovery rates is welcomed.