Legg Perthes Rehabilitation - any experience - YorkieTalk.com Forums

shell820810 · 12-23-2009, 02:52 PM

Toby had his legg perthes op about 3 weeks ago.

He has had 2 sessions of hydrotherapy, 5 days apart. It is now closed for 2 weeks for christmas. he will be going for weekly sessions after that.

He leg is very week. It wasnt used for about 5-6 weeks before the op, so in total its been off the ground over 2 months, and is very weak, with very little muscle left.

The vet said that weekly sessions will not be enough. He needs daily physio. when he is walking, he holds it up, and it is not strong enough to force him into using it by disabling the other leg (eg tying marble on to it).

So I think I will have to put him in the bath at home every day.

has anyone tried this, or has any suggestions on how to get him to use his weak leg?

ladyjane · 12-23-2009, 05:07 PM

You can try an air mattress and walk back and forth... foam will also work. They sink in a bit and it kind of helps them to use that leg more.
He will do well with the hydrotherapy. Here they do that on an underwater treadmill. It works wonders!
He will be using that leg before you know it!

dianethomas · 12-23-2009, 06:56 PM

it took Zacchie a while to use his leg. I was worried about it, but Doc told me it would be fine. He said eventually he would regain use of it.
Now you wouldn't even know he'd ever had a problem. Just keep up with the therapy.

12-23-2009, 02:52 PM	#1
shell820810 YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: N Ireland Posts: 475	Legg Perthes Rehabilitation - any experience Toby had his legg perthes op about 3 weeks ago. He has had 2 sessions of hydrotherapy, 5 days apart. It is now closed for 2 weeks for christmas. he will be going for weekly sessions after that. He leg is very week. It wasnt used for about 5-6 weeks before the op, so in total its been off the ground over 2 months, and is very weak, with very little muscle left. The vet said that weekly sessions will not be enough. He needs daily physio. when he is walking, he holds it up, and it is not strong enough to force him into using it by disabling the other leg (eg tying marble on to it). So I think I will have to put him in the bath at home every day. has anyone tried this, or has any suggestions on how to get him to use his weak leg? __________________ Toby - 03/03/09 & Maisie - 08/09/09 RIP Millie - 30/03/08 - 24/03/09

12-23-2009, 05:07 PM	#2
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,466	You can try an air mattress and walk back and forth... foam will also work. They sink in a bit and it kind of helps them to use that leg more. He will do well with the hydrotherapy. Here they do that on an underwater treadmill. It works wonders! He will be using that leg before you know it! __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

12-23-2009, 06:56 PM	#3
dianethomas YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Millington, TN USA Posts: 471	it took Zacchie a while to use his leg. I was worried about it, but Doc told me it would be fine. He said eventually he would regain use of it. Now you wouldn't even know he'd ever had a problem. Just keep up with the therapy. __________________ Cricket and Zaccheus' human