Dog Ramps for Rehabilitation and Strengthening
Slope work is an essential element of rehabilitation. The use of ramps as part of a rehabilitation programme not only promotes strengthening and proprioception, but as research has shown, it enhances the active range of movement.
Carr, J & Millis, Darryl & Weng, Hsin-Yi. (2013) demonstrated that ramp and stair ascent consistently had greater range of motion compared to trotting on a flat surface, and ramp ascent had significantly greater range of motion compared to stair ascent (P<0·05). Shoulder flexion and extension, elbow extension and carpal flexion were all significantly greater while ascending the ramp compared to stairs.
Ideal for a Comprehensive Rehabilitation Programme
Ramp work is an essential part of a comprehensive programme of rehabilitation, but creating the right slope conditions can be difficult to achieve for different sizes of dog with a single piece of equipment. This is where the Ramp Set comes in. Comprising four stable, but lightweight units it can be configured readily in a wide range of ways and slope steepness.
The Ramp Set can be used:
- As part of rehabilitation for neurologically compromised dogs.
- For dogs recovering from orthopaedic conditions.
- As an introduction to ‘ramp’ training for anxious dogs.
- As part of a strengthening/conditioning programme for agility and gun dogs.
Conditions for which the Ramp Set can be used include:
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Lumbosacral Disease
- Medial shoulder instability
- Biceps tendinopathy
- Supraspinatus tendinopathy
- Cranial cruciate ligament disease (conservatively/surgically managed)
- Patella Luxation (conservatively/surgically managed)
- Osteoarthritis
- Body conditioning in sports dogs
