CCAT Orthopedic Condition Rehabilitation 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which regenerative therapy is currently used as an adjunct in canine rehabilitation for conditions like stifle osteoarthritis and involves intra-articular injection of growth factor-rich plasma derived from the patient's own blood?
- Autologous conditioned serum (ACS/IRAP)
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) (Correct answer)
- Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC)
- Hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation
Correct answer: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) concentrates growth factors from autologous blood and is injected intra-articularly to promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation in osteoarthritis.
Question 2: When using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to facilitate quadriceps muscle re-education post-TPLO, which parameter setting produces a visible muscle contraction appropriate for early rehabilitation?
- Frequency 2–5 Hz, pulse width 50 µs, intensity at motor threshold
- Frequency 50–80 Hz, pulse width 200–400 µs, intensity producing visible contraction (Correct answer)
- Frequency 100 Hz, pulse width 500 µs, intensity at sensory threshold only
- Frequency 1 Hz, pulse width 1000 µs, intensity causing discomfort
Correct answer: Frequency 50–80 Hz, pulse width 200–400 µs, intensity producing visible contraction
NMES for muscle re-education uses 50–80 Hz with 200–400 µs pulse width at an intensity sufficient to produce a visible, comfortable muscle tetanic contraction.
Question 3: A small-breed dog is diagnosed with medial compartment disease (MCD) of the elbow. Which surgical procedure is commonly followed by an intensive rehabilitation program targeting elbow flexor strengthening?
- Sliding humeral osteotomy (SHO) (Correct answer)
- Lateral retinacular imbrication
- Tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA)
- Femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO)
Correct answer: Sliding humeral osteotomy (SHO)
Sliding humeral osteotomy (SHO) shifts weight-bearing to the lateral compartment of the elbow, and post-op rehabilitation focuses on restoring flexor strength and ROM.
Question 4: Which manual therapy technique is most appropriate during the acute inflammatory phase (days 1–5) following orthopedic surgery in a companion animal?
- Grade IV sustained joint mobilization to restore ROM
- Gentle passive range of motion within pain-free limits (Correct answer)
- Deep friction massage directly over the surgical site
- Stretching to end range with overpressure
Correct answer: Gentle passive range of motion within pain-free limits
Gentle passive ROM within pain-free limits is appropriate in the acute phase to prevent adhesion formation without disrupting tissue healing.
Question 5: A dog with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) affecting L3–L4 has recovered motor function and is now in the late rehabilitation phase. Which core stabilization exercise is most appropriate?
- Passive spinal traction on a therapeutic table
- Cookie stretches (cervical lateral flexion) only
- Standing on an inflatable balance disc with perturbation challenges (Correct answer)
- High-speed treadmill running for cardiovascular conditioning
Correct answer: Standing on an inflatable balance disc with perturbation challenges
Balance disc standing with perturbation challenges activates deep paraspinal and abdominal core stabilizers, which are essential for protecting the lumbar spine in late-stage IVDD rehabilitation.
Question 6: Which splint or orthotic device is most commonly used as a conservative management tool for canine carpal hyperextension injury caused by palmar fibrocartilage disruption?
- Hobbles connecting both forelimbs
- Custom carpal orthosis maintaining the carpus in slight flexion (Correct answer)
- Stifle extension orthosis (SEO)
- Muzzle brace preventing jaw movement
Correct answer: Custom carpal orthosis maintaining the carpus in slight flexion
A custom carpal orthosis maintains the carpus in a slightly flexed, neutral position to support the palmar structures and prevent hyperextension while allowing controlled weight-bearing.
Question 7: When performing goniometry to measure stifle flexion in a dog, which landmark serves as the axis (fulcrum) of the goniometer?
- Greater trochanter of the femur
- Lateral epicondyle of the femur (Correct answer)
- Tibial tuberosity
- Head of the fibula
Correct answer: Lateral epicondyle of the femur
The lateral epicondyle of the femur serves as the goniometer axis for stifle measurements, with the proximal arm aligned along the femoral shaft and the distal arm along the tibial shaft.
CCAT Orthopedic Condition Rehabilitation 4
Which regenerative therapy is currently used as an adjunct in canine rehabilitation for conditions like stifle osteoarthritis and involves intra-articular injection of growth factor-rich plasma derived from the patient's own blood?