title: Rehabilitation for the orthopedic patient.
abstract: An understanding of orthopedic conditions and their medical and surgical treatment is important to help the therapist develop a treatment plan that will help the patient return to function quickly with minimal complications. The therapist must constantly assess the patient for improvement or complications and adjust the therapy plan accordingly. Knowledge of the stages of tissue healing and of the strength of tissues is critical to avoid placing too much stress on the surgical site, yet some challenge to tissues must be provided to optimize the return to function.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Skip Bertman Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA. jdavidson@vetmed.lsu.edu
authors.forename: Jacqueline R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Sharon C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kerwin
authors.forename: Darryl L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Millis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D050724:Fractures, Cartilage / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D007596:Joints / Q000293:injuries; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000379:methods*