The Power of Rehabilitation: Meet VCAWLA Patient Mucho Gusto

“Mucho Gusto” is a 12 year old neutered male Whippet who sustained multiple injuries on 11/5/14 when he jumped over a hedge and landed five feet below on the other side. He was non-weight bearing on the left thoracic limb, and suffered a severe laceration on the cranial aspect of his left thigh. The thigh wound became infected, and he was transferred to VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital for treatment of pyrexia. “Gusto” was also found to have a left shoulder luxation, and a closed reduction was attempted but unsuccessful.
He was taken to surgery on 11/17/14, and synthetic ligaments were used (modified Campbell’s method) to stabilize the shoulder joint. He was placed in a Spica splint for two weeks, then wrapped in a soft bandage for another two weeks. Rehabilitation with therapist Nancy Lee was started on 12/16/14, 6 weeks after the initial injury, and 4 weeks post-surgical repair. By this time, there was marked muscle atrophy of the left thoracic limb. A significant decrease in range of motion of 40 degrees was found in the left shoulder and a left elbow decrease of 50 degrees compared to the right. According to his owner, “Gusto” had just started putting a bit of weight on his left front limb 2 days before starting rehabilitation sessions.
Rehabilitation Program
Rehabilitation included manual therapy (soft tissue work and joint mobilization) to first increase his range of motion, along with laser, therapeutic exercise, and underwater treadmill to increase his strength and endurance. Gusto was seen 1-2 times per week for the first 3 weeks, once per week for the next 4 weeks, then every other week for the last 4 weeks. His owner is extremely dedicated and ensured that he was always brought in for his rehabilitation sessions right on schedule. She was taught how to stretch and massage Gusto’s shoulder at home, and was given a home exercise program, which included walking over obstacles for weight shifting onto the left front limb, and walking on uneven surfaces for scapular stabilization.
Instructions were provided for activity restriction and gradual activity progression. Gusto was discharged from rehab on 4/20/15 with clearance from both the surgeon and therapist to resume full activity without restrictions. At this point, he had resumed almost all of his prior activities, including going to the dog park 3 times a week, playing with other dogs, and chasing his tennis ball. His owner stated that the only thing he had not resumed was running “full out,” but she attributed this to his age (he is now 13, after all!). The owner was advised to bring him back to rehab if she noticed any changes in his gait quality. Thanks to Niki Dantine, Gusto’s mom, for creating this video showing his progress in rehabilitation over a treatment course of 2 months.