Efficacy of physiotherapy program on treatment in dogs with osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: Osteoarthritis is widely recognized as one of the leading causes of disability in dogs globally, yet there is currently no treatment that can substantially alleviate the condition. Our study aims to assess the impact of a physiotherapy protocol on dogs suffering from osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: Twenty dogs were allocated randomly into either the physiotherapy (PTG) or the control group (CG). First day all dogs received a Hyaluronic Acid (HA) injection. Following this, the PTG underwent a four-week physiotherapy program. Outcome measures included goniometric measurements, the 12 meter walking test (12MWT), and The Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI). Results: While improvements in goniometric measurements, 12MWT, and CBPI scores were observed in both groups, dogs in the PTG exhibited a notably greater increase in hip extension and a more substantial reduction in CBPI scores (p < 0.05). PTG dogs showed a more significant decrease in walking time and number of steps compared to the CG (p < 0.05). Between-group differences in walking time and number of steps were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The combination of HA with physiotherapy demonstrated efficacy in enhancing function and improving clinical outcomes in dogs with osteoarthritis. However, to further refine physiotherapy guidelines for optimal management of canine OA additional research is warranted.