Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


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Medical Services - Small Animal - Rehabilitation

Appointment Information - Treatment Approaches - Weight Management Program - Client Brochure - Clinical Trial Rehabilitation Home

Physical therapy is a mainstay of recovery in human medicine. Now similar treatment approaches are available to veterinary patients. The experts of our animal rehabilitation program are committed to offering you and your pet the highest standard of care that will help speed recovery and improve quality of life.

Meet the staff:

Ann L. Johnson DVM, MS, DACVS

Dr. Ann Johnson received her DVM degree from Purdue University and her residency training and Master's degree from The Ohio State University. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). Dr. Johnson is recognized internationally as a veterinary orthopedic surgeon and educator. She has had an active clinical research program and has authored numerous journal articles, and textbook chapters. She is a coauthor of Small Animal Surgery and the Atlas of Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery, and editor and contributor of the AO Principles of Fracture Management in the Dog and Cat.

 Ann

Kim Knap BS, CVT, CCRP

Much of the daily treatment and care of your pet will be performed directly by Kim Knap.
Kim’s veterinary technician career began as the orthopedic surgery technician here at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital.  After completing further specialized training in rehabilitation and pain management; she was a member of the first graduating class of Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practioners through the University of Tennessee. http://www.utc.edu/Faculty/David-Levine/Veterinary.HTM. She also is one of a select few members of the Pfizer TECC program on pain management.  She played a vital role in the development the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s companion animal rehabilitation program at a time when there were only a few active programs in veterinary teaching hospitals in the country.  Kim’s passion is practicing and teaching rehabilitation and she has lectured nationally. She has been a key player in over 20 funded research projects involving rehabilitation. She is a coauthor of the rehabilitation chapter of the Small Animal Surgery textbook. Feel free to contact her directly with any questions or to set up an appointment 217-265-5314 knap@uiuc.edu

 Kim


Rehabilitation can benefit patients with a wide range of problems:

Dog
  • After orthopedic surgery such as: knee, hip, elbow diseases, other joint problems, and fractures
  • After neurologic surgery such as: Intervertebral disc disease, fracture of the spinal column
  • Treatment of Chronic arthritis
  • Treatment of Chronic pain
  • Treatment on non-surgical orthopedic and neurologic problems
  • Obesity to aid in weight loss
  • Long term hospitalization
  • Athletic training/conditioning
  • Oncologic Disease
  • Wheelchair fittings

Click here to see some of our treatment protocols & success stories: Traumatic fracture, Cruciate ligament rupture, back surgery, amputation.


Evaluation:

Anyone can bring their pet for rehabilitation. He or she does not need to be a patient of the University of Illinois VTH.  Your veterinarian or our staff can oversee your pets’ care (Referral form).  We start with a full general physical as well as an orthopedic and neurologic examination to determine what type of therapy is needed. We then gather baseline measurements such as lameness and pain scoring, goniometric measurements, muscle measurements, and gait analysis. Next we develop an individualized therapy plan and discuss a schedule, home exercises and long term goals.  We will also communicate with your veterinarian our findings and plan so we can work as a team to provide the best care possible for your pet. With the help of cutting-edge technology and specialized faculty and staff, we hope to improve your pet’s quality of life.

Gait Analysis www.tekscan.com
Gait is the manner of walking on foot or a sequence of foot movements. Many methods of gait analysis have been developed to better understand normal and abnormal gait in animals. The simplest is visual observation, but that is subjective and difficult to measure. Pressure mats or Force plate gait analysis is an easy, noninvasive, and objective method of evaluating gait by determining with a number how much weight a pet puts on each of their limbs. When Possible, we use it to measure improvements in your pet’s recovery and function of the limb.

Overall Rehabilitation benefits:

  • Restoring a better joint range of motion
  • Decreasing pain and improving healing of injured and inflamed neurological and musculoskeletal tissues
  • Preventing further disuse atrophy of affected musculature of limbs
  • Improving the function of weak and paralyzed limbs
  • Preventing soft tissue contracture and fibrosis in weak or paralyzed limbs
  • Providing positive physiological outcomes for the patient and owner