An exploration of clinical reasoning and practices used by physiotherapists in the rehabilitation of horses following interspinous ligament desmotomy surgery.

The research article focuses on exploring the clinical reasoning and techniques employed by veterinary physiotherapists as they rehabilitate horses post interspinous ligament desmotomy surgery.

Objective of the Research

• The main objective of this research was to delve into the approaches and decision-making processes physiotherapists use in the treatment of horses after they’ve undergone interspinous ligament desmotomy surgery. Prior to this study, the factors influencing decision making and the actual practices implemented during such a rehabilitation course were not well-documented.

Methodology

• The researchers adopted a qualitative approach for this study. To gather necessary data, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six members from the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy.
• All interviews were transcribed and the data were analyzed using the Thematic Analysis technique.

Findings

• From the Thematic Analysis, five overarching themes were found to have significance in physiotherapists’ clinical decision making. These themes encompassed the structure of assessments conducted, treatment modalities and reasoning, the involvement of the horse’s owner and veterinarian, and the impact of accompanying health conditions.
• The analysis showed the multifactorial nature of clinical decision making during rehabilitation, with several factors influencing each stage of the process.
• The study also shed light on the various practices involved in this type of rehabilitation, providing a documented account for future reference.

Conclusions

• Overall, the clinical decision-making process in this context was found to be complex. Noteworthy is the significant impact of the horse owner and veterinarian’s involvement.
• The findings showed that factors influencing treatment and assessment decisions were numerous, and the decision-making process was supported by a blend of clinical experience and empirical research evidence.