Essential Facts of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine in Companion Animals

Recommended reading for VMPT®, CCRP®, Diplomate ECVSMR, ACVSMR

720 pages, 707 pictures, 288 tables and charts induding treatment plans, 168 tutorial videos (QR code/links). 

    Fact style – no endless text
    Physiology and pathophysiology of tissue and healing
    Orthopedic, neurologic and cardio-vascular examination including outcome assessment (text, pictures, videos)
    Evidence based exercises, manual therapy and modalities, including laser, TENS, UWT, shockwave, nuclear resonance therapy and many more (text, pictures, videos)
    Biologic treatments (PRP, stem cells etc.)
    Integration of the petowner and homework
    Nutrition in rehab, dog sports etc.
    Sports medicine and back to sports
    Detailed anatomy and neurology in combination with the treatment options to set up an individual treatment plan

A comment on this book:

Over 27 years ago Robert A. Taylor wrote in his groundbreaking article "Postsurgical Physical Therapy: The Missing Link":

" Little current information on physical therapy in animals can be found in the veterinary literature. Veterinarians are aware of the need for detailed follow-up and rehabilitation of surgical patients; however, the use of physical therapeutic methodology to hasten and enhance postsurgical recovery is in its infancy in veterinary medicine." *1

In the following decades, the state of the veterinary physical rehabilitation and physical therapy specialty has changed dramatically. In many countries of the world continuing education in veterinary rehabilitation and physical therapy is offered and there are numerous national and international associations focusing on veterinary rehabilitation. Physical medicine and rehabilitation finally gained its final recognition as a separate veterinary specialty through acknowledgement by the American (2010) and European (2017) Colleges of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Naturally, the rapid development of the field of veterinary rehabilitation resulted in numerous reference books being published. One foundational text, „Essential Facts of Physiotherapy," was published by BE VetVerlag in 2004. This book served innumerable professionals as an important guidebook in everyday clinical life and was published in many languages.

Now, 15 years later, Barbara Bockstahler presents a new edition of the classic textbook. In addition to the then co-editors Darryl Millis and David Levine, numerous leading experts have contributed to the manuscript. The new edition successfully reflects the exemplary continued development of the veterinary rehabiliation discipline. Richly illustrated and documented with more than 160 videos that can be accessed via QR code, „Essential Facts of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine in Companion Animals“ does not only guide the interested reader through the methods of physical medicine, but also provides clear and understandable information about the basics behind physical therapy, such as the physiology and pathophysiology of tissues in response to injury. A large chapter is dedicated to sporting dogs, and includes topics on typical sports injuries and methods to return back to training.

This book was conceived in such a way that it offers the practical active veterinarian the possibility to swiftly and efficiently provide information on relevant illnesses and their treatment using the methods of physical medicine.

The authors also pursue a completely new organizational approach; arranging information by body regions, therapy goals and disease stages. Treatment approaches are outlined clearly and the progression of the rehabilitation plan with specific illnesses are explained pragmatically. This enables the user to create an individualized therapy program for his/her patients. The chapter "Treatment Plans“ is supplemented by an impressively illustrated anatomy section, which precedes the individual body regions.

In summary, "Essential Facts of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine in Companion Animals" is a comprehensive and well-structured veterinary textbook that should find its place in every practice.The authors provide both an evidence-based and practical handbook for practitioners, but also students and other professionals in the field of veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation. It will be an indispensable source of aid to all those embarking in the field of veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation, as well as to experienced rehabilitation practitioners, that will become an indispensable companion in everyday clinical life.

Ass. Prof. Zoran Vrbanac, DECVSMR (Small Animals), DACVSMR (Canine), DVM, PhD, European Veterinary Specialist in Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Founder and past president of VEPRA, Small Animal representative of the ECVSMR

*1 Taylor, RA: Postsurgical Physical Therapy: The Missing Link. The Compendium: Small Animal 1992 (14): 1583-1595