Soft Tissue Injuries In Canines

By Dr. Joanna Bronson | http://bronsonvetservices.com/

Lameness in dogs due to an injury is quite common. Dogs that compete in canine sports such as agility and flyball tournaments are especially prone to soft tissue injuries. However, even the backyard pup can suffer from ligament, tendon, and muscle damage. Regardless of the injury, the diagnostic procedures and recommended treatments are the same.

The first determination is whether the dog is suffering from an injury related to some form of trauma or from overexertion.

The terms sprain, strain, and “pulled muscle” are used interchangeably to describe soft tissue injuries.

Some background information for understanding ligament, tendon, and muscle locations:

• Ligaments are attached to the bones that span a joint to provide joint stability A ligamentous injury is usually caused by acute overstretching or twisting of the ligaments.

• Since tendons and ligaments are more fibrous than muscles, this makes them tighter and more compact. When an injury occurs, they can tear when stretched.

• Once a ligament has been stretched, recurrent injuries are common due to inadequate healing of the injured ligament. A healed ligament is estimated to be only 75% as strong as the original ligament.

• Tendons connect muscle-to-bone with their primary function being to transfer the force of the muscular contraction to the skeleton. When the muscle-tendon unit is strained, this tension can result in a soft tissue injury.

• These types of injuries usually occur due to overstretching such as when an animal reaches and jumps. Repetitive strain injury (RSI) can occur from overuse.

Soft tissue muscle injuries are most often related to direct trauma. Muscle injuries are less common and can be more difficult to detect during a physical exam. The most obvious signs are focal pain as well as swelling.

Soft tissue injuries are divided into 3 grades depending on severity.

Grade 1 injuries are usually minor, as they involve damage to a small percentage of the fibers resulting in minimal loss of the structure. These injuries are usually localized in one region with minimal heat or swelling The dog may not even be lame and his joint may still be fairly stable when palpated during a physical examination.

This type of injury usually involves bruising of some form and is found primarily in the muscle as opposed to the ligament.

Grade 3 injuries consist of complete ruptures, while Grade 2 injuries begin with a Grade 1 classification but have some components of a Grade 3 injury though they are not as severe.

With Grades 2 and 3 there will be localized pain and swelling at the site of the injury

Ligament injuries will show joint instability and are often accompanied by bruising and hematomas (blood-filled pockets) at the site of the injury.

Ultrasounds can provide more information with musculotendinous injuries, as they provide “real time” images, while the tissue is placed in varying ranges of motion.

For more serious cases, a Computed Tomography (CT) scan can give more information especially in chronic or acute trauma cases.

The Gold Standard for assessing soft tissue injury is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Treatment for minor grade 1 sprains and strains is usually a period of rest until the lameness subsides. Topical and systemic medications may be prescribed for pain and to reduce inflammation.

With any tissue injury, the objective is to prevent the formation of disorganized scar tissue and a recurrence of the original injury.

If the injury is severe, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove and reduce the chances of scar tissue forming Modern treatments also offer therapeutic ultrasound therapy being used to treat a variety of musculotendinous disorders. However, laser therapy may be more effective for some cases since it can expedite the healing process.

Shock wave therapy is another treatment that is showing good success with both bone and tissue injuries. High intensity sound waves interact with the affected tissue stimulating blood vessels, reducing chronic inflammation, stimulating the production of collagen, and dissolving calcium buildup.

This therapy is especially helpful for areas that prove slow to heal. Overall, it stimulates the healing process and helps reduce any pain from inflammation.

The procedure lasts only for a few minutes and can be repeated as necessary, usually a few weeks apart.

Once a soft tissue injury has occurred, dogs must be prevented from becoming heavy, as the extra weight can aggravate an existing condition.

Dr. Joanna Bronson graduated from MSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 at the top of her class. Following graduation, she worked as an intern at a large equine referral practice in Cleveland, OH, specializing in lameness, surgery, and racetrack medicine. In 2005, she opened Bronson Veterinary Services in Coldwater, MI. What started as an ambulatory only practice, quickly grew to a full-service equine and small animal hospital and surgical center The now three doctor practice provides medical, surgical, reproductive, and preventative care services for Branch County and the surrounding area.

As per standard procedure, x-rays are used first to access soft tissue damage and joint instability. Visit: http://bronsonvetservices.com/

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