Evaluation of Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation (TENS), Therapeutic Ultrasound (TU), and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) Applications for Physical Therapy in Neurological and Orthopedic Disorders in Cats and Dogs; 20 Cases

Vollständiger Abstract

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This study aimed to evaluate the applications of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound (TU), and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for physical therapy and rehabilitation (PTR) in cats and dogs with neurological and orthopedic disorders, and the results obtained from these applications. The study material consisted of 11 cats and 9 dogs (20 cases). Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound (TU), and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) were used for PTR in these cases. In the study, 4 (20%) cases had muscular dystrophy, 9 (45%) cases had patellar dislocation or hip joint-related orthopedic problems (1 case of Leg Calve Perthes (5%), 8 cases of hip dislocation and patellar luxation (40%), while the remaining 7 cases (35%) were neurogenic in origin (6 spinal traumas (30%), 1 radial paralysis (5%). Only 6 (30%) of the cases included in the study underwent physical therapy alone without any surgical planning. In the other 14 cases (70%), physical therapy was applied after a surgical procedure. While physical therapy resulted in significant improvement in orthopedic problems, complete recovery was not achieved in some neurological cases. Based on the findings from this study regarding the dosages and durations used, the results of this combination are quite satisfactory. We recommend using physical therapy applications consisting of a combination of TENS, TU, and LLLT alone or as a complementary treatment for orthopedic and neurological disorders in cats and dogs.