Physical
Therapy
Instructions
for Physical Therapy in Birds
Kenneth
Welle, DVM, AVBP (avian)
The
goals of physical therapy are to minimize the loss of range of
motion (ROM), prevent changes in soft tissue flexibility, improve
muscular strength, and cardiovascular endurance. In
addition physical therapy can serve to promote neuromuscular
re-education, allowing the patient to regain coordination for normal
active daily living. Additionally, physical therapy can give
psychologic benefits to you and your bird.
Passive, range-of-motion exercises are performed by
manipulating the limb through its entire range of motion.
The limb is controlled by the hands and first brought to
maximum flexion and held for 15-20 seconds, then brought to
maximum extension and held for 15-20 seconds.
This process is repeated for several repetitions, which are
gradually increased to about 20.
The sessions should be carried out once or twice daily.
Sessions should be increased in intensity, in number of
repetitions, or in frequency as each level is readily tolerated
Active assisted, range-of-motion exercises are natural
movements of the limb aided by the therapist.
Forced wing flapping by holding the feet and dropping the
hand rapidly is a common form of active assisted exercise used in
birds. In pet birds,
the bird perches on the hand and the handler gently but firmly
holds the toes. The
hand is then dropped gently to force the bird to flap the wings.
Physical therapy can be painful to the patient and
appropriate analgesia is indicated.
It is more difficult to do physical therapy with the legs of
birds. Unfortunately,
a functional recovery from leg injuries is even more important in
most birds. Birds with only one functional leg often develop
pododermatitis or other problems associated with abnormal weight
bearing. While passive
range-of-motion exercises are the same as in the second paragraph,
it is difficult to get a bird with an injured leg to hop or walk.
The legs can be exercised by using either a perch that moves or
your hand. A
gently rocking perch or hand will force a bird to move, flex, and
grip in order to maintain balance.
Swimming is an excellent leg exercise but is only
applicable for waterfowl.
Massage
is used to reduce pain, to reduce fibrosis, and improve blood
flow. This method may
be to stressful to birds unaccustomed to close handling.
Tarsitis and pododermatitis are two conditions in which
massage seems to help. Gently
roll the toes and “ankle” of the bird between your thumb and
forefinger. A small
amount of vitamin A and D ointment can be gentle massaged into the
foot at this time. Canaries
seem to benefit the most from this treatment.
Resumption of normal leg and wing function is most important
for birds that will be released into the wild, for those used in
falconry and those for racing.
These birds must regain almost perfect athletic function.
Even in pet birds, however, every attempt should be made to
return the patient to its pre-injury state.
The use of sound medical and surgical principles is only
the first step. Physical
therapy can greatly enhance functional recovery.
