Functional Outcome Measures

Functional outcome measures are essential tools in veterinary rehabilitation, offering objective means to assess mobility, strength, and overall physical function in canine patients. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of key outcome measures tailored for various clinical populations, including geriatric, orthopedic, and neurologic patients. It discusses the canine manual muscle test (c-MMT) for strength assessment; the canine geriatric functional score and timed up and go (TUG) for evaluating age-related decline; the Finnish Canine Stifle Index (FCSI) for monitoring recovery from cranial cruciate ligament disease; and the Finnish neurological function testing battery (FINFUN) for spinal cord injuries. Each measure is described in terms of methodology, required equipment, interpretation of scores, and clinical relevance. The need for tailored assessments, suggesting a prioritized flow of functional tests based on patient-specific abnormalities to enhance rehabilitation outcomes is emphasized. While evidence supporting these tools in veterinary medicine continues to grow, their strategic implementation enables clinicians to monitor progress, guide treatment plans, and improve quality of life in canine patients.