The Unbreakable Reed

Oct 1

5 min read

Case Study

How rehabilitation helped Reed rebuild strength, mobility & confidence after knee surgery

Diagnosis: Cranial cruciate ligament disease and osteoarthritis, with chronic right-knee pain, instability, and significant muscle loss following surgery. Reed was also experiencing discomfort in his left knee, likely related to arthritis and compensating for his weakened right hind leg.

Services: Laser Therapy, Shockwave Therapy, Hydrotherapy, Gym-Based Rehabilitation, Home Exercise Program

The Initial Problem

When Reed first came to Animals Only, simply putting weight on his right hind leg was a challenge.

Reed had undergone surgery on both knees, his left in April 2023 and his right in January 2024. While his initial recovery appeared to be going well, several months after his right-knee surgery, his condition took a turn.

He was barely bearing weight on his right hind leg, often touching only his toes to the ground. His knee was swollen, thickened, painful, and unstable, and prolonged reduced use had resulted in significant muscle loss in his right thigh.

His left knee was also showing signs of discomfort and thickening, likely due to arthritis and the additional strain of compensating for his weakened right leg. For Reed, recovery wasn't going to be a quick fix. It would take a structured rehabilitation plan, consistency, and plenty of patience. And Reed was ready to put in the work. But what Ringo had in abundance was something no diagnosis could diminish: a will to move, and a mom whose commitment to his wellbeing made all the difference.

Reed's Starting Point

Reed's primary concerns were chronic right-knee pain and dysfunction associated with cranial cruciate ligament disease and osteoarthritis.

His initial evaluation showed:

Significant right hind-leg lameness, ranging from toe-touching to non-weight-bearing
Severe muscle loss and atrophy in the right thigh
Right-knee swelling, thickening, pain, and instability
Reduced knee mobility and range of motion
Discomfort and thickening in the left knee
Significant arthritis and soreness

With reduced use of his right leg, Reed had lost considerable strength and muscle. The goal wasn't simply to get him walking again. It was to help him regain functional strength, improve mobility, manage chronic pain and arthritis, and support his long-term quality of life.

Building Reed's Rehabilitation Plan

Animals Only developed a progressive rehabilitation program focused on reducing discomfort, rebuilding strength, improving mobility, and helping Reed safely return to the activities he loved.

Managing Pain & Starting to Rebuild

June 2024

Early rehabilitation focused on helping Reed become more comfortable while beginning to restore strength and mobility.

His treatment plan included:

Laser Therapy — 3x per week
Used as part of Reed's pain-management and rehabilitation plan.
Hydrotherapy — 3x per week
Allowed Reed to work on movement and strength while reducing the amount of weight placed on his joints.

Early goals:

Reduce right-knee pain and discomfort
Improve knee mobility and flexibility
Begin rebuilding muscle in the right hind leg
Improve overall strength and function

Strength, Stability & Conditioning

February 2025

As Reed progressed, his rehabilitation program evolved. Gym-based rehabilitation was introduced twice a week, along with shockwave therapy once a week. The focus shifted toward building and maintaining functional strength, improving range of motion, and continuing to manage his chronic knee discomfort. And Reed was making meaningful progress.

He was fully weight-bearing and able to complete his daily walks without favoring his leg afterward. He had good energy, remained playful and happy, and could comfortably complete a 20–30 minute longer walk, along with shorter walks and normal bathroom breaks. His family also continued his home exercise program, helping carry his rehabilitation beyond the clinic.

Maintenance & Long-Term Mobility

March 2026

By March 2026, Reed's rehabilitation had shifted into a maintenance phase.

His Laser and Shockwave treatments were spaced to approximately every three weeks, with continued attention to managing arthritis, maintaining muscle strength, and supporting comfortable movement. At this stage, Reed was doing very well overall. He was comfortable and walking normally without a limp, with only a slight limp when trotting. His right knee still had some stiffness and limited bending, but the muscle tightness previously noted in his lower back had improved. Most importantly, Reed was moving comfortably and enjoying life.

Building Strength at Home

One of the biggest parts of Reed's recovery happened outside the rehab facility. His home exercise program was designed to help manage knee arthritis and discomfort while maintaining strength and range of motion in all four limbs, with special attention to his right hind leg. Consistency mattered. Reed's family committed to his exercises and made rehabilitation part of his routine. That continued support allowed him to keep working on strength and mobility between appointments. And the results showed.

Reed's Muscle Balance: Then & Now

When Reed started rehabilitation	Left Hind Leg	Right Hind Leg
Initial measurement	41.5	36.5
Difference	5

Reed today	Left Hind Leg	Right Hind Leg
Current measurement	42.5	41
Difference	1.5

Reed gained muscle in both hind legs, with his weaker right hind leg showing the greatest improvement. The difference between his hind legs decreased from 5.0 to 1.5, reflecting a substantial improvement in muscle balance and symmetry. That's more than a measurement. It's a reflection of the strength Reed worked to rebuild.

From Recovery to Thriving Again

Reed's progress wasn't about reaching one finish line. It was about giving him the strength and comfort to keep doing the things that make him happy. Today, Reed can:

Walk comfortably
Sit and stand normally
Run and play
Enjoy his daily walks
Maintain good stamina
Continue building strength through his home program
Safely participate in activities he loves

His family reports that he has good energy and would probably walk even farther if they let him. That's quite a change from the dog who once struggled to put weight on his right hind leg.

Movement Is Medicine

Want to see more of Reed? Check out Reed featured in our Best Friend Friday series on Instagram, where we celebrate our best friends and their journeys every Friday.

A Message from Animals Only

Reed's recovery is a reminder that rehabilitation doesn't end when surgery is over. For dogs dealing with orthopedic conditions, arthritis, muscle loss, or chronic discomfort, ongoing rehabilitation can play an important role in maintaining strength, mobility, and quality of life.

Reed's treatment plan included Laser Therapy, Shockwave Therapy, Hydrotherapy, gym-based rehabilitation, and a consistent home exercise program. But his treatment plan was only part of the equation. His family showed up, stayed consistent, and continued supporting his recovery at home. And Reed kept showing up, too.

From surgery and being non-weight-bearing on his right hind limb to walking, running, playing, and enjoying his favorite activities again, Reed has continued to show how much progress can happen with the right plan, consistent support, and plenty of determination.

We're incredibly proud of Reed and grateful to his family for their dedication to his recovery. Here's to more walks, more runs, more adventures—and plenty more time doing what Reed loves most.

Want to learn more about the services that Reed received?

At Animals Only, we believe rehabilitation is about more than treating an injury. It's about helping pets move comfortably, maintain their strength, and enjoy the activities that make them happiest.

Movement is medicine. And Reed is proof that progress can happen one step at a time.