CCAT Orthopedic Condition Rehabilitation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which gait pattern is most commonly observed in dogs with hip dysplasia during trotting?
- Bunny hopping with bilateral pelvic limb propulsion (Correct answer)
- Unilateral toe-dragging on the affected side
- Exaggerated dorsiflexion of the tarsal joint
- Lateral trunk flexion away from the affected limb
Correct answer: Bunny hopping with bilateral pelvic limb propulsion
Bunny hopping occurs because dogs with hip dysplasia simultaneously advance both rear limbs to reduce individual hip joint loading.
Question 2: When designing an aquatic therapy program for a dog recovering from tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO), which water depth is most appropriate for early post-operative gait retraining?
- At the level of the stifle joint
- At the level of the greater trochanter (Correct answer)
- At the level of the dorsum of the foot
- At the level of the thoracolumbar junction
Correct answer: At the level of the greater trochanter
Water at the level of the greater trochanter offloads approximately 60% of body weight, making it ideal for early post-TPLO gait retraining.
Question 3: A cat presents with forelimb lameness 6 weeks after repair of a humeral condylar fracture. Which rehabilitation exercise best targets the triceps while minimizing elbow stress?
- Incline treadmill walking at 15° elevation (Correct answer)
- Cavaletti pole exercises at shoulder height
- Sit-to-stand repetitions on a flat surface
- Lateral weight shifting on a balance board
Correct answer: Incline treadmill walking at 15° elevation
Incline treadmill walking increases forelimb extensor recruitment, particularly the triceps, while the controlled surface minimizes shear forces at the elbow.
Question 4: Which outcome measure tool is most appropriate for objectively tracking functional recovery in a dog with medial patella luxation post-surgery?
- Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain
- Force plate peak vertical force measurement (Correct answer)
- Body condition score (BCS) assessment
- Passive range of motion goniometry at the hip
Correct answer: Force plate peak vertical force measurement
Force plate measurement of peak vertical force directly quantifies limb loading symmetry, providing objective data on functional weight-bearing recovery.
Question 5: During rehabilitation of a dog with supraspinatus tendinopathy, which therapeutic modality is CONTRAINDICATED directly over the tendon insertion?
- Low-level laser therapy
- Therapeutic ultrasound at 1 MHz continuous mode (Correct answer)
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Cryotherapy applied for 10-minute intervals
Correct answer: Therapeutic ultrasound at 1 MHz continuous mode
Continuous therapeutic ultrasound over a tendon insertion generates heat that can damage the tenocytes and worsen tendinopathy.
Question 6: A dog is 4 weeks post-femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO). Which rehabilitation progression is most appropriate at this stage?
- Passive range of motion only, no weight bearing
- Controlled leash walks combined with active range of motion exercises (Correct answer)
- High-intensity resistance band exercises targeting hip abductors
- Full off-leash play to encourage natural movement patterns
Correct answer: Controlled leash walks combined with active range of motion exercises
At 4 weeks post-FHO, controlled leash walks and active ROM exercises encourage fibrous pseudarthrosis formation and muscle hypertrophy needed for joint stability.
Question 7: Which muscle group is the primary stabilizer of the canine stifle joint and the main target of rehabilitation following cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) repair?
- Semitendinosus and semimembranosus
- Quadriceps femoris group (Correct answer)
- Gastrocnemius and superficial digital flexor
- Sartorius and gracilis
Correct answer: Quadriceps femoris group
The quadriceps femoris group provides dynamic stifle stabilization by resisting cranial tibial translation, making it the primary rehabilitation target post-CCL repair.
CCAT Orthopedic Condition Rehabilitation 2
Which gait pattern is most commonly observed in dogs with hip dysplasia during trotting?