hip flexor injury

7530 Views 16 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Rika_Tula, May 6, 2008

sleachy

Discussion Starter · Apr 8, 2008

2

I took Tooz to the physical therapist this morning and, apparently, she has injured her hip flexor muscle. Anyone have any experience with this type of injury? I have been told that this is a tough one to heal? She is on a week of complete cage rest. Out to the bathroom and that's it! Not even any leash walks.

Physical therapist said let's take it week by week.

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Spiritsmam

· #2 · Apr 8, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

Which hip flexor? There is more than one muscle involved in hip flexion, the main being the sartorius, iliopsoas, tensor fasciae latae and biceos femoris. My Shep had problems with iliopsoas pain, and we restricted his exercise, did some gentle ROM. With time and rehab everything resolved. Good luck

sleachy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 8, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

Quote: Which hip flexor?

Oh Jeez! I don't know! Even if he had told me, I probably would not have remembered! I gather the therapy would be the same regardless of which one?

Spiritsmam

· #4 · Apr 8, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

I would think that no matter which, initial rest would be indicated, but after that it would be up to your vet to evaluate and determine the best way to progress.

pazzo

· #5 · Apr 9, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

My dog had an illiopsoas injury. It took 16 weeks of rehab before he could train again. Rest is very important but the physical therapy side proved invaluable to me. It was important to get him aligned again, his opposite front shoulder had been taken a beaten compensating for the rear. He is doing wonderful now. It was alot of work everyday on both our parts, but he's doing great!

sleachy

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 10, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

OMG....16 weeks! Your poor dog! How old is you boy? I assume the therapist gave you specific exercises to work once the rest period was over?

pazzo

· #7 · Apr 10, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

I know! I was floored. He is 5 yrs old and in great condition.He had complete rest for about 4-6 wks, then rehab with specific exercises, they changed weekly. Stretching everyday, twice a day was routine. We only stretch once a day now and brief stretching before training. warm ups and cool downs and a whole host of stuff in between! LOL!...He still sees his therapist twice a month. He falls asleep now when hes being worked on...it's so funny!

sleachy

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 11, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

Tooz had her first therapy session on Tuesday. She didn't show signs of stress but she was very submissive to the therapist. She didn't try to get away but I could tell it hurt her! She is still really sore(Friday morning) and came out of the crate limping this morning. Last night and this morning, her third eyelids were up in the corners of her eyes. I am wondering if this is a sign of pain?
She is starting to get a little stir crazy in the crate and it hasn't even been a week! It doesn't help that I have a dog boarding with me this weekend who Tooz just wants to play with! I have her on aspirin twice a day. Perhaps I should call the vet for something different.

Rika_Tula

· #9 · Apr 11, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

Our Vet clinic sometimes gives Metacam, as an anti-inflammatory and for pain relief. There's also a great thread going regarding natural anti-inflammatory options, if you're interested in that route.

I'm a massage therapist and do NOT want to negate what the physical therapist's treatment plan is for Tooz but it really surprises me about the amount of crate rest for the hip flexors. Hip flexors are soft tissue - muscle, fascia, tendon - and with too much rest will be in pain from lack of movement. Movement helps to keep the tissue lubricated.

It doesn't surprise me that Tooz comes out of the crate limping after so much rest.

As an example, Myrika has hip dysplasia. The soft tissues and connective tissue come into play for hip health, so keeping them healthy will help in joint lubrication, nutrients & pain management. After she has been playing and romping too much, she will come out of her crate limping. So, now, we do not put her into the crate after any exercise or major playtime. The crate does not allow for enough freedom of movement.

I think there's a balance between rest (for healing) and activity (also for healing) that needs to be met. Any injury involving ligaments or tendons can take months upon months to fully heal and that is with adequate rest. Tendons are part of the muscle fascia (wraps individual muscle fibers) and connect muscle to bone. Ligaments connect bone to bone and are less pliable than tendons.

Anyway, I hope some of this is helpful and that she heals well and quickly.

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sleachy

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 11, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

Quote:...with too much rest will be in pain from lack of movement.

I think that's exactly whats happening! On Tuesday and Wednesday, she had part of the day out of the crate (confined downstairs with no furniture to jump on) and was not limping. I don't know this therapist all that well so maybe he is trying to be extra cautious. You know how people are! If you tell them the dog can have "some freedom," next thing you know, the dog is romping around the yard! I was thinking of setting up an ex-pen for her this weekend.
I am hesitant to give her Rimadyl...heard too many horror stories...but I don't know anything about Metacam. Would this be better for her than aspirin?

Rika_Tula

· #11 · Apr 12, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

Originally Posted By: sleachy but I don't know anything about Metacam. Would this be better for her than aspirin?

Metacam is like prescription strength aspirin or ibuprofen. Personally, I have not heard anything bad about Metacam. It is typically given for injuries and after surgery...and can be given as needed.

If Myrika shows any pain symptoms, we can choose to give it. She had some trouble with her wrist and the Vet sent us home with Metacam. It took only one dose for her to show marked improvement. They also sent us home with it after her spay surgery, for pain and inflammation.

pazzo

· #12 · Apr 13, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

I just wanted to add that my boy did NOT have any crate rest. We had limited activity. After a few days when his limping stopped we were asvised by the Ortho specialist that he could walk on leash and obviosly no training or straining but regular walks and activity were fine. When he started therapy 4-6 wks later we were walking twice a day...not long. Along with other therapy stuff. No one ever mentioned the crate to us. It would make sense that the muscles would become stiff.

As for the Metacam I have used it before and noticed no side effects. Short term use ofcorse.

Good luck with your dog and please keep us posted.

sleachy

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 15, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

We saw the physical therapist today and Tooz has had virtually no improvement. I am kicking myself that I didn't talk to him sooner before I made Tooz into the canine equivalent of veal for a week!

It is the iliopsoas muscle that is injured and he wants me to keep it low key but give her more freedom. NO horse play, of course! He also recommended a medication called Traumeel. I posted under the holistic/homeopathic section. Has anyone heard of it?

Spiritsmam

· #14 · Apr 16, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

Is the physical therapist a DVM? If not I would consider seeing an orthopedic specialist. When Shep injured his iliopsoas I saw a specialist who was very concerned - ilipsoas injuries are not all that common and can be very painful. In trying to compensate for his pain, Shep changed his gait - it never returned to normal, even after the pain/injury resolved ...

onyxgucci

· #15 · Apr 24, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

My 13 month old gsd was diagnosed today with a iliopsoas strain. I really trust the vet I saw, a specialist. He said to give Previcox for pain and Robaxin, which is a muscle relaxer. Four weeks of limited activity. He can still track (we do schutzhund) and can do very mild obedience. No running, jumping or playing for 4 weeks. Gradually increase walks from 5 minutes over the next four weeks. I will hold off on the obedience for the first week because he gets too pumped up for his ball. This vet is outstanding and has authored many articles on this injury, among others. I highly reccomend him and his staff. Here's their website, which has alot of good information on it. No info on the website about the iliopsoas though

http://vetsportsmedicine.com/index.html

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onyxgucci

· #16 · Apr 24, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

Forgot to mention, the vet does also have us going for physical therapy 2-3 times a week. This will include laser therapy and massage.

Rika_Tula

· #17 · May 6, 2008

Re: pulled muscle...hip flexor

How's it going with Tooz?

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