To Tero

Stifle dysfunction is one of the most common reasons for canine hindlimb lameness and an indication for dogs ’ referral to physiotherapy. Until now, there has been a lack of testing batteries in animal physiotherapy, although these are an important part of the evaluation process in various patient groups in human physiotherapy. Using 64 dogs, 43 with stifle dysfunction and 21 healthy dogs, congruity between fourteen physiotherapeutic evaluation methods, commonly used in dogs with stifle dysfunction, and six evaluation methods used by a veterinarian was evaluated. The eight best methods were chosen as items constituting a testing battery, the Finnish Canine Stifle Index (FCSI). The numerical scale of the testing battery was 0-263. Cronbach’s alpha for the internal reliability of the total FCSI score was good (0.727). Two cut-offs for the total score were set: 60 and 120, separating “adequate”, “compromised ” and “severily compromised ” performance level, based on their high sensitivities and specificities