Page 47 - Micro5 Brochure 2017

OBJECTIVE:

To compare 4 therapeutic techniques to reduce soft tissue swelling after cranial cruciate ligament repair
in the dog.

STUDY DESIGN:

Prospective study.

ANIMALS:

Twenty-four dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR).

METHODS:

Dogs with naturally occurring CCLR, were surgically repaired by an extracapsular technique and
randomly divided into 4 treatment groups (cold compression [CC], modified Robert Jones bandage [B],
cold compression and bandage [CCB], and microcurrent electrical therapy and bandage [METB]) each
with 6 dogs. Data were collected at 2 time points, the morning after surgery before the 1st treatment and
72 hours later after the last treatment. Limb girth was measured at 3 anatomic locations to assess soft
tissue swelling and all affected limbs were evaluated for presence (or absence) of pitting edema and
bruising. Analysis of covariance was used to determine effect of treatment on the percent change in
circumference. Duncan's multiple-range test was used to determine differences in treatment groups
circumferential percent change over 72 hours. Statistical significance was set at P<.05.

RESULTS:

Use of a Robert Jones bandage had the least effect on reducing postoperative soft tissue swelling with
CC, METB, and CCB being equally effective in reducing swelling by 72 hours after surgery.

CONCLUSION:

Use of cold compresses alone or with a bandage, or using microcurrent electrical therapy in combination
with a bandage decreases soft tissue swelling over 72 hours more than a bandaging alone after
extracapsular repair of CCLR.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

CC, METB, and CCB should be considered as viable options to limit soft tissue swelling after
extracapsular repair of CCLR in dogs.

PMID:

20210945

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

Int J Med Sci. 2009 Dec 6;7(1):29-35.