TENDONITIS IN DOGS
What is tendonitis in dogs?
Tendonitis in dogs is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon. A tendon is a cord of connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. Tendonitis can occur in any of your dog’s tendon but the most commonly affected tendons are the biceps brachii tendon (front limb) and the supraspinatus tendon (shoulder).
Tendonitis can be a result of injury and trauma (acute) or repeated high impact activity such as running and jumping (chronic) where the tendon and the surrounding tendon sheath gets damaged. Calcification of the tendon is also common. The onset is usually very subtle and presents as intermittent lameness that worsens with exercise.
How we can help
At Paws4Paws we take a multimodal approach to your dog’s tendonitis. If surgery is not required and a conservative management approach is prescribed by your vet, we can help with a variety of modalities such as remedial massage techniques, myofascial pain release, acupressure, passive and active range of motion exercises as well as rehabilitative low impact strengthening exercises to manage your dog’s tendonitis and aid in healing.
Controlled exercise is imperative for a successful recovery of tendonitis. We discuss your dog’s exercise regime and assess your home environment to ensure your dog has the best possible chance of healing. Further, intermittent lameness due to a painfully inflamed tendon leads to compensatory patterns and gait changes which impact other parts of your dog’s body. Prolonged overload results in tight muscles and the development of spasms and painful trigger points. As tight muscles are prone to injury (i.e. muscle strain) there is a risk of further damage. At Paws4Paws we ensure the release of tension and tightness to avoid a secondary injury.
We also refer to other specialists such as hydrotherapists and acupuncturists if we feel your dog would benefit from these modalities. Further, we might refer you back to your vet for a reassessment of your dog’s pain management should we suspect your dog might be in pain that cannot be controlled and addressed with natural remedies, supplements and physical therapy alone.