Case Study: Hugo
Post-Operative Rehabilitation After Spinal Surgery — From Unable to Walk to Full Independent Activity
Patient Summary
Presentation and Background
Hugo’s owners noticed he was becoming reluctant to move over the course of just a few days, until he was completely unable to walk. A CT scan at a specialist neurology centre confirmed a disc herniation in his lower back pressing on the spinal cord — consistent with IVDD, one of the most common serious spinal conditions in French Bulldogs. He underwent spinal decompression surgery the same day. Encouragingly, the spinal cord showed no signs of permanent damage at surgery, giving good grounds for recovery.
Hugo was discharged with a urinary catheter, pain medication, and strict cage rest for four weeks. He was referred for physiotherapy rehabilitation within the first week.
Rehabilitation Programme
When Hugo arrived for his first session he could not stand without full support, could not walk, and had almost no nerve reflex response in his hind legs — particularly on the left side. Despite this, he was already trying to pull himself upright, and showed awareness of his bowel function: both encouraging early signs. His rehabilitation was structured across four phases.
The early sessions focused on three things: reducing inflammation and supporting healing with therapeutic laser; gentle massage and passive movement to maintain joint mobility and circulation in his non-weight-bearing limbs; and neurological stimulation to begin re-establishing the nerve-to-muscle connection his spinal cord needed to rebuild. Supported standing practice was introduced progressively. His owners carried out a twice-daily home exercise programme covering massage, limb movements, and assisted standing.
Once cage rest lifted, the focus shifted to rebuilding hindlimb muscle mass through progressive exercises including sit-to-stand work, weight-shifting, and balance challenges. Hugo was referred for hydrotherapy, where water buoyancy allowed him to work his legs hard with reduced spinal load — progressing over time to incline settings. Cavaletti pole work (walking over raised ground poles) improved foot placement and stride coordination. A supportive harness and hindlimb assist band helped while his weaker left leg caught up.
Walk durations built progressively to 20–25 minutes daily, then a second shorter evening walk was added. Hugo managed incline walks confidently and coped well on a family holiday. Some lower back muscular soreness during busier periods was managed conservatively without lasting setback. His owners maintained the home programme consistently throughout.
Around eleven months post-surgery, Hugo experienced a neurological flare-up and became unsteady again. His owners recognised the change quickly. Exercise was scaled back, anti-inflammatory medication prescribed, and sessions refocused on balance and stabilisation. A vet recheck two weeks later confirmed improvement, and dynamic exercise was carefully reintroduced over six weeks. Hugo returned to his full programme without lasting effects.
The Result
Over thirteen months, Hugo went from completely unable to walk — with absent nerve reflexes and a catheter in place — to managing two daily walks including inclines, with full bilateral hindlimb muscle symmetry achieved. The muscle size difference between his two hind legs, which was noticeable when strengthening work began, closed progressively and reached equality twelve months post-operatively. That is not just about Hugo being able to walk again — it is objective evidence of genuine muscular restoration.
What Made the Difference
Three factors stood out in Hugo’s recovery. Early rehabilitation — beginning within days of surgery — meant neurological stimulation started before poor movement patterns could become established. Owner commitment to the daily home exercise programme was exceptional; the work between clinic sessions is just as important as the sessions themselves, and Hugo’s family delivered it consistently for months. And long-term continuity of care meant that when a flare-up came, it was caught quickly and managed well — rather than becoming a crisis.
Hugo’s case demonstrates what is possible after even a very serious spinal injury, with the right support and the right team around a dog.
IVDD post surgical recovery case study