ACVSMR flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Sarcomere length-tension relationship

Active muscle force is maximal at optimal actin-myosin overlap; force decreases when the sarcomere is overstretched or overly shortened, affecting exercise prescription and injury risk.

Wolff's law

Bone adapts to the loads placed upon it; increased cyclic loading stimulates osteogenesis, while immobilization leads to disuse osteopenia and reduced bone strength.

Convex-convex rule

In a joint, when a convex surface moves on a concave surface, the roll and glide occur in opposite directions; this guides safe mobilization techniques.

Cranial cruciate ligament function

The cranial cruciate ligament resists cranial tibial translation and internal rotation; its rupture causes instability, meniscal injury, and osteoarthritis in dogs.

Type I muscle fibers

Slow-twitch, oxidative fibers that are fatigue-resistant and suited for endurance; they have high mitochondrial density and low glycolytic capacity.

Tendon viscoelasticity

Tendons exhibit creep (time-dependent deformation under load) and stress relaxation; their stress-strain curve includes toe, linear, and failure regions.

AAEP lameness scale

The American Association of Equine Practitioners grades lameness from 0 (sound) to 5 (non-weight-bearing); it standardizes subjective assessment across examiners.

Cranial drawer test

A provocative test for cranial cruciate ligament rupture; the tibia is manually translated cranially relative to the femur, indicating instability when positive.

Nuclear scintigraphy

A bone scan using radiolabeled technetium that is highly sensitive for occult osseous injury (e.g., stress fractures) but has low specificity for diagnosis.

Ultrasonographic anisotropy

An artifact where tissue echogenicity changes with probe angle; it can mimic tendon lesions if the beam is not perpendicular to the fibers.

MRI contraindications

Metallic implants, pacemakers, and ferromagnetic foreign bodies are contraindications for MRI; patient size and anesthesia risk also limit its use.

Progressive overload principle

Training must gradually increase intensity, duration, or frequency beyond current capacity to stimulate adaptation while avoiding excessive stress and injury.

Aquatic therapy buoyancy

Water buoyancy reduces weight-bearing load (up to ~85% at chest depth in dogs), allowing early mobilization; viscosity provides resistance for strengthening.

Eccentric exercise tendinopathy

Controlled eccentric loading stimulates collagen remodeling and increases tendon stiffness; it is a cornerstone of rehabilitation for chronic tendinopathies.

Periodization in conditioning

Structured training phases (base, strength, power, taper) optimize performance and recovery; tapering reduces volume while maintaining intensity before competition.

Cavaletti poles

Raised poles used for proprioceptive training and gait retraining; they improve joint awareness, core stability, and stride regularity in dogs and horses.

Therapeutic ultrasound continuous mode

Continuous ultrasound produces deep heating via cavitation and acoustic streaming; it is used for chronic soft-tissue conditions but avoided over growth plates and neoplasia.

TENS vs NMES

TENS uses high-frequency sensory stimulation for pain modulation via gate control; NMES uses low-frequency motor stimulation for muscle re-education and atrophy prevention.

Photobiomodulation dose

Laser therapy dose is energy density (J/cm²); it depends on wavelength (600–1100 nm), tissue depth, and condition, with higher doses for deeper tissues.

Maitland joint mobilization grades

Grades I–IV are oscillatory movements of increasing amplitude; grade V is a high-velocity thrust manipulation used to restore joint mobility.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy

ESWT delivers acoustic pulses that stimulate neovascularization and tissue regeneration; common equine uses include suspensory desmitis and navicular syndrome.

Cryotherapy precautions

Apply cold for 15–20 minutes with a barrier to prevent burns; avoid in areas of impaired sensation or vascular compromise; it reduces edema and pain.

Return-to-sport criteria

Criteria include pain-free full range of motion, symmetric strength and proprioception, sport-specific functional testing, and gradual load reintroduction before full competition.

Acute:chronic workload ratio

A ratio comparing recent (acute) to longer-term (chronic) training load; values >1.5 are associated with increased injury risk, guiding load management.

Pre-participation screening

A systematic evaluation of conformation, gait, and musculoskeletal health before competition to identify risk factors and guide individualized conditioning programs.

Warm-up physiological effects

Warm-up increases muscle temperature, tendon compliance, and nerve conduction velocity, enhancing performance and reducing injury risk.

Canine agility injuries

Common injuries include shoulder strain, carpal sprains, and digit injuries; repetitive jumping and landing on hard surfaces increase risk.

Equine racehorse stress fractures

Stress fractures commonly occur in the third metacarpal bone, tibia, and pelvis; they result from repetitive loading and require early detection via scintigraphy.

Feline rehabilitation considerations

Cats require low-stress handling, species-specific exercise prescriptions, and pain scales; common conditions include osteoarthritis and patellar luxation.

Corrective shoeing

Shoeing modifications alter breakover and load distribution; used in conditions like laminitis and navicular syndrome to reduce strain on specific structures.

Informed consent

Owner must understand risks, benefits, and alternatives before rehabilitation or performance interventions; documentation protects both patient and practitioner.

Scope of practice

Rehabilitation providers must work within their licensure and collaborate with veterinarians for diagnosis and treatment planning to ensure legal and ethical care.

Evidence-based practice

Integrate best available research, clinical expertise, and patient/owner values; avoid unproven modalities without owner disclosure and informed consent.