lacerated DDF SDF (hind leg)

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Any advice on the following patient would be greatly appreciated. "Jasmine" is a 3 year old lab cross who had a surgical repair for a severed DDF and SDF tendon (mid metatarsal region) July 22, 2012 (just over 3 weeks ago). She was in a splint up to the 3 week mark. She was recently changed to a heavy bandage. I saw her for the first time yesterday. She is still nwb, with no attempts made to bear weight. She did not seem painful with extension of the toes. The toes are in a normal position (not pointing upwards). The surgical site is slightly thickened, but no signs of infection. There is obvious loss of muscle mass on the hind leg (esp the flexors).

I put the e-stim on her flexors (on the med and lat aspects of the gastrocs) and did some mobs on the digits (mostly dorsal-ventral motion). We also did some ROM at the stifle and hip. I do not have access to a laser or ultrasound. I have not yet completed the CRI certification (I will be attending the Therapist module in Sept). I would love to be able to help this girl.

At what point should we be expecting her to bear weight? At what point do we encourage her to bear weight?

Should she be in a splint for a longer period of time? (she was not in a custom splint in the first place).

What are the expectations for progression?

What more should I be doing at this point?

Thank you,

Rita McKay, DVM, CCRT pending