Stretching and PROM:  Why it is so important after a CCL tear?

Hey guys, this is Nikki the lead Vet tech with Posh Dog Knee Braces. Today let’s talk about PROM and stretching, especially after an injury like CCL tears.  So to explain better, let’s first dive into what happens when we injure a ligament. Those fibers are gone forever once torn.  There is no surgery to re-attach them; they will be absorbed by our body.  Then, our bodies do something quite amazing. They replace those collagen fibers of our ligament tissue with new collagen fibrous tissue, called scar tissue.  So scar tissue can be a good thing, or it can be a bad thing. 

The difference? Stretching and doing your PROM

Ever had a car accident or injury?  Did the Dr. say to just rest for 6 months and never move that joint?  I sure hope the answer was a big NO!!  Letting scar tissue form, but not doing any stretches or PROM after an injury while scar tissue forms, will result in a joint recovering, sure, however, there will be no range of motion after.  The joint will be stiff, the scar tissue hard and unforgiving. 

I see these patients come in, months after the CCL injury, and their dog is stiff and sore still after the allotted recovery time.  This is from lack of stretching those joints most likely.  Scar tissue is strong stuff.  Sometimes it takes surgery to remove scar tissue once it forms incorrectly, and we start over.  The second time around, hopefully you would be doing the recommended stretches and PT.

When we do stretch and PROM after an injury, it not only tells our joints to produce lubrication to keep things healthy, it also makes those scar tissue fibers more elastic, and healthy.  These patients have a much more comfortable long term success rate than those that do not do any PROM.  They will have full function of their knee and joints, and much less discomfort long term.

Takeaway?  Please follow our PROM and stretching recommendations when using the Posh Dog Knee Brace, or even the elbow and carpal braces.  Find a physical therapist if you are unfamiliar with PROM, or uncomfortable doing it yourself.  It is definitely in your pups best interests.

Again please let me know if you have any questions! You can contact us via our contact form or follow us on Facebook.