Sports Medicine

Lameness Evaluation – MVSM specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of lameness in companion animals and the canine athlete. A wide range of diagnostics and treatment options allow us to provide customized care for your individual pet’s needs.

Baseline Sporting and Working Canine Evaluations – Every canine athlete, sporting, and working dog require a unique blend of musculoskeletal structure, conditioning and balance. At MVSM we believe that the canine athlete should be closely evaluated prior to, and mindfully monitored during, sporting and working to ensure that they feel and perform at their very best. The baseline sporting and working canine evaluation includes:

• In-depth orthopedic and neurologic evaluation to include spinal and joint evaluations through both:
  • Range of motion measurements
  • Radiographs of the shoulders, elbows, spine, pelvis (hips) and stifles. 
• Soft tissue evaluation to include:
  • Muscle circumference measurements
  • Baseline musculoskeletal ultrasound of both shoulders

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Screening – The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) was founded in 1966 and tracks multiple genetic diseases within the canine population. At MVSM, we offer OFA Orthopedic Examinations including hip (pelvis), elbow, shoulder and spine with the appropriate diagnostic radiographs for each. In addition, we offer Patellar Luxation Examination and Certification. 

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound – The increase in awareness of soft tissue injury as a cause of lameness in our canine companions and athletes galvanizes the need for diagnostic ultrasound as an integral component of musculoskeletal evaluations. It is used to diagnose soft tissue injuries, guide biopsies and injections, improving the accuracy and safety of these procedures over ‘blind’ techniques. Ultrasound is combined with other diagnostic methods to inform accurate diagnoses and treatment recommendations. 

Musculoskeletal Radiographs (X-Rays) – Radiographs (X-ray images) allow specialists to examine the body for injury or disease. Radiography is often the first line of diagnostic imaging informing a diagnosis or directing the need for further imaging. It is quick and painless!

Orthobiologics and Regenerative Medicine (Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Therapies) – Orthobiological treatments include a number of different products such as platelet rich plasma and stem cell therapies (to include bone marrow aspirate concentrate and autologous cultured stem cells) which reduce inflammation, improve tissue healing and promote biological activity. At MVSM we use these biologic therapies (also known as regenerative medicine) to help facilitate the healing or regeneration of injured muscles, tendons and ligaments. Depending on the choice of therapy, blood or bone marrow is collected from your pet and injected back into affected sites. To ensure accurate placement of therapy within your pet’s injury, ultrasound guided injections are used.

Pain Relieving Joint Injections – We are passionate about providing mobility and comfort to all of our patients. In the quickly evolving world of pain management there are multiple pain relieving joint injections available for your companion. At MVSM, we focus on those joint injections with proven benefits and efficacy including, but not limited to, Spryng™, hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids.

Orthotics, Prosthetics and Assistive Devices –  Sometimes our companions and athletes are affected by congenital deformities, illness or trauma that leads to persistent disability. Assistive devices can help improve their mobility and well-being. We use assistive devices both as long term solutions for persistent pain and lameness as well as short term recovery from trauma or soft tissue injury. Some commonly used devices at MVSM are carpal and tarsal braces, stifle orthotics, wheelchairs, deformity bracing, contracture bracing and prosthetics. 

Acupuncture and Dry Needling – Veterinary acupuncture is a safe and effective method of treating pain and inflammation in your pet. During medical acupuncture for animals, thin, sterile needles are inserted to specific anatomic points on the pet’s body to stimulate the nervous system, leading to clinically proven improvements in comfort and function of muscles, organs, and nerves. Dry needling is a form of physical therapy used to treat musculoskeletal pain. During dry needling a thin, sterile needle is inserted into the skin at trigger points in a muscle, causing it to twitch and release the area of tension or spasm. Acupuncture and dry needling can be used for:

• Muscular spasms or pain
• Spinal Pain
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease
  • Lumbosacral stenosis
• Weakness 
• Post-operative recovery
• Orthopedic diseases such as osteoarthritis including hip dysplasia, shoulder instability and elbow dysplasia

Home Exercise Plans – Injuries and surgical procedures can drastically weaken your dog. Fitness level, age, body weight and/or the breed of your dog can also begin the onset of arthritis or lameness. These conditions prevent your pet from having the healthy and active lifestyle that it was used to. Specialized at home exercise plans are one way you can help alleviate pain and help your pet recover and maintain their normal mobility and quality of life.

Medical Management of Osteoarthritis with Nutrition and Supplement Plans – The management of osteoarthritis and pain requires a multimodal approach and mindful monitoring for long-term success. Components of this plan include a balanced diet, proper nutrition, an evolution of pain relieving medications and injections as well as appropriate supplement regimens. MVSM specializes in wading through the mountains of information to provide you with sound scientific recommendations for your companions and athletes needs.