Exercise Selection and Progression

Veterinary rehabilitation has been primarily based on time-based protocols that may not account for patient-specific differences such as level of conditioning, age, comorbidities, level of strength, and complications. The choice of exercise should be guided by clinical assessments that aid in determining the stage of tissue healing for each individual patient. As the patient progresses, repeated assessments of range of motion, flexibility, gait, strength, and functional mobility determine whether exercises can be further accelerated or reduced. Exercise selection based on assessments and tissue healing ensures superior outcomes that allow return to full strength and level of activity.