A 2025 survey of UK-practising veterinary surgeons on veterinary physiotherapy recommendations, perceptions, and follow-up during treatment of canine cranial cruciate ligament disease

This cross-sectional online survey investigated UK-practising small-animal and mixed-practice veterinary surgeons' (VS) recommendations, behaviours, and perceptions regarding veterinary physiotherapy (VPT) during canine cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) management. Secondary aims explored perceptions of the evidence base and outcome assessment methods both in-practice and in research. A pilot questionnaire followed by the final questionnaire was distributed using non-probability sampling through veterinary practices, professional organisations, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' mailing list and personal contacts. Data were collected over a 10-week period from December 2024 to February 2025; 236 qualified VS at varying clinical levels, including general practitioners and specialists, completed the survey. Data were analysed descriptively and using Pearson's Chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests. Surgical management remained the preferred treatment approach. Most respondents (62.3%) always recommended formal physiotherapy post-CCLD-surgery, a higher proportion than reported in a previous international survey with different eligibility criteria. Respondents generally reported strongly positive perceptions of the potential effects of VPT, but only moderately positive perceptions of the supporting evidence-base, potentially reflecting variable evidence strength in CCLD-specific rehabilitation research. Significant associations with small to small-moderate effect sizes existed between always recommending VPT and rehabilitation-specific CPD, age range, years in-practice, and workplace business-structure. Most respondents used compliance-increasing and compliance-monitoring measures; however, follow-up assessments commonly declined beyond 8 weeks post-surgery. Respondents generally perceived biomechanical assessments as less useful in clinical practice than veterinary- or owner-reported measures. While VPT appeared increasingly integrated into respondents' CCLD management approaches, findings suggested clinician-specific contextual factors may influence rehabilitation integration and reinforced the need for clinically feasible, standardised post-operative rehabilitation and monitoring guidelines relevant to CCLD.