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The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2025; 41(1); 213-225; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2024.11.011

Therapeutic Exercises for Rehabilitation of Muscle Injury.

Abstract: Successful rehabilitation of muscle injury requires a comprehensive understanding of the injury process, healing phases, and resources to be employed. The initial phase is characterized by acute inflammatory signs, followed by the regenerative and remodeling phases. Therapeutic exercises can be utilized in all 3 phases, progressing from isometric exercises to aquatic therapies. The classification and phase of injury and the individual response to the applied therapies will guide the progression of the therapeutic exercises through the rehabilitation program.
Publication Date: 2025-01-31 PubMed ID: 39893127DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2024.11.011Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research paper examines how therapeutic exercises can aid in the rehabilitation of muscle injuries. It discusses the three phases of injury healing – acute inflammation, regeneration, and remodeling – and the appropriate exercises and therapies to be used in each phase.

Understanding Muscle Injury and Healing

  • According to the study, successful rehabilitation from a muscle injury requires a thorough understanding of the injury process itself. This involves knowing the different phases of healing and the treatments that can be used at each stage.
  • The healing process starts with the acute inflammatory phase, which is characterized by swelling, pain, redness, heat, and loss of function – typical signs of inflammation. This is the body’s immediate response to injury as it attempts to remove the damaged tissue. Isometric exercises, which involve static use of muscles without significant movement of the body, can be employed at this stage to maintain muscle strength and prevent atrophy while not causing further damage.

Regenerative and Remodeling Phases

  • The next phase of healing is the regenerative phase. In this stage, the body works to repair the damage by replacing the injured tissue with new muscle cells. During this time, it is essential to start introducing gentle, active exercises to promote muscle conditioning and increase blood flow to the injured area.
  • The final stage is the remodeling phase, where the new tissue becomes strong and flexible. It is during this phase that the treatment can progress to more challenging exercises like aquatic therapies, which are known for both their low-impact and resistance training benefits. These exercises facilitate the strengthening of the newly formed muscle tissue and improve its functionality.

The Role of Individual Response in Rehabilitation

  • The researchers emphasize the importance of individual response to the therapies applied in the rehabilitation process. The physical condition, age, health status, and personal motivation of the patient can all influence the effectiveness of the treatment and its duration.
  • Therefore, the paper suggests monitoring the patient’s response to the exercises and adjusting the <a href="/equine-rehabilitation-guide/" title="Equine Rehabilitation Programs: What to Expect When Your Horse is Recovering – [Guide]”>rehabilitation program accordingly for optimum results. This ensures a tailored approach to each individual’s healing process, enabling faster recovery and preventing future injuries.

Cite This Article

APA
King MR, Colla S. (2025). Therapeutic Exercises for Rehabilitation of Muscle Injury. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 41(1), 213-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2024.11.011

Publication

ISSN: 1558-4224
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 41
Issue: 1
Pages: 213-225

Researcher Affiliations

King, Melissa R
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, 2250 Gillette Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. Electronic address: Melissa.king@colostate.edu.
Colla, Sandro
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, 2250 Gillette Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Muscle, Skeletal / injuries
  • Exercise Therapy / veterinary
  • Exercise Therapy / methods
  • Horses / injuries
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Muscular Diseases / veterinary
  • Muscular Diseases / rehabilitation

Conflict of Interest Statement

Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose.