Dog Bracing Made Simple

When a dog tears their Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL)—the canine equivalent of an ACL tear in humans—owners face a tough decision. Surgery (like a TPLO or Extracapsular Repair) is widely considered the gold standard, but for various reasons—such as financial constraints, high surgical risk, or underlying health issues—many owners turn to custom knee braces (stifle orthoses) as a non-invasive alternative. Custom braces like the Hero Knee Brace promise to support an unstable knee, reduce pain, and restore mobility. On the surface, the standard expectation is that a rigid brace works like a tight clamp, locking down the joint to eliminate all unwanted movement. But biomechanics are rarely that simple. A landmark study titled "Pelvic limb kinematics in the dog with and without a stifle orthosis," authored by Dr. Bryan T. Torres and colleagues (published in Veterinary Surgery), used high-tech motion capture to evaluate joint movement in dogs wearing custom Hero Knee Braces. The data reveal that, while the most surface-level assumptions about bracing seem straightforward, it is actually a set of counterintuitive mechanical design tricks, understood by clinicians, that explain how a brace truly supports an injured knee. Understanding the Goal: Motion Control vs. Motion Elimination To understand how a brace works, it helps to separate what owners expect from how orthoses are actually designed to function: The Common Assumption: A brace should lock the joint in place, preventing movement so the dog can't hurt themselves. The Clinical Reality: A functional stifle brace is supposed to allow normal, active Range of Motion (ROM) so the dog can walk, run, and sit naturally. It shouldn't immobilize the knee. Instead, its job is to step in at one specific moment during the step: mid-stance to stop the “bad motion.”  When a dog puts weight on their leg during mid-stance, the angle of the shinbone (tibia) causes it to slide forward under the thighbone—a painful instability known as cranial thrust or cranial drawer. A successful brace allows normal bending and straightening through most of the step, but selectively limits this harmful sliding motion right at mid-stance. Best Brace Design Parameters [ Active Gait Cycle ] ──► Allows Normal Flexion/Extension (Preserves Function) [ Mid-Stance Phase ]  ──► Restricts Cranial Thrust / Drawer (Targeted Stability) The Surface Conclusion vs. The Counterintuitive Mechanism When evaluating the study data, several key findings challenge basic assumptions and highlight how a stifle brace functions on a deeper level:   1. The Stifle Joint Maintains Active Range of Motion The Surface Takeaway: Looking at the rigid frame of a Hero Knee Brace, one might worry that it will make the dog's leg stiff and uncomfortable. The Counterintuitive Insight: The study demonstrated that the brace barely limits the active Range of Motion at the stifle joint. Walk: Natural knee ROM was 43.1°, while the braced knee maintained 49.1°. Trot: Natural knee ROM was 57.2°, while the braced knee maintained 54.3°. Why this matters: Because soft tissue and skin naturally cushion the brace, the knee moves a bit differently than the brace. How the brace moves isn’t as important as what it causes the body's joints to do differently. Fortunately, the data showed a distinct shift in stifle joint position specifically during the stance phase (when thrust would occur). While this study was conducted on healthy dogs—meaning true cranial drawer wasn't present to measure directly—this specific positional shift at mid-stance strongly suggests that the brace is engaging precisely when it needs to, potentially dampening drawer motion without locking up the knee.  2. How Ankle (Hock) Restriction Actually Protects the Knee The Surface Takeaway: The study found that the lower ankle joint (tarsus/hock) showed reduced movement while wearing the brace. At first glance, restricting a completely healthy adjacent joint seems like an unwanted side effect. The Counterintuitive Insight: Most of the hock’s range of motion is actually preserved, but the mild restriction imposed on the ankle plays a key biomechanical role in protecting the knee. The "Ground Reaction" Effect: By stabilizing and slightly limiting movement at the hock, the orthosis leverages Ground Reaction Force (GRF)—the upward force exerted by the ground when the paw strikes. Instead of letting that energy collapse the ankle, the rigid brace directs that force upward, pushing backward against the front of the proximal tibia.  The Human Connection: This exact principle is used in human medicine through Ground Reaction Ankle-Foot Orthoses (GRAFOs). In humans, a GRAFO uses the floor's force at the ankle to push the tibia back, preventing knee collapse and stabilizing the joint during stance. In dogs, harnessing this same force helps actively counteract forward tibial thrust at the knee. Comparing Joint Motion Dynamics Joint & Plane Unbraced Joint Braced Joint (Limb + Brace) Biomechanical Impact Stifle Flexion/Extension (Walk) 43.1° 49.1° Preserves active motion; shifts stance mechanics to reduce thrust. Stifle Flexion/Extension (Trot) 57.2° 54.3° Maintains a comfortable gait while dampening peak extension. Tarsus/Hock Sagittal ROM (Walk) 33.3° 25.3° Directs ground forces upward to push the tibia back. Tarsus/Hock Frontal ROM (Walk) 14.1° 7.1° Stabilizes side-to-side ankle motion to support knee alignment. What This Means for Dog Owners Understanding these counterintuitive mechanics helps set realistic, evidence-based expectations for custom bracing: Functional Freedom: You don't have to worry about a custom brace like the Hero Knee Brace turning your dog's leg into a rigid post. It allows them to bend, sit, and walk naturally while intervening primarily during the weight-bearing phase of gait. Whole-Leg Engineering: The brace doesn't work on the knee in isolation. By controlling the ankle, it uses basic physics to apply a stabilizing, backward pressure on the shinbone right when weight is applied. Promising Preliminary Evidence: While additional scientific testing on dogs with active CCL tears is needed to explicitly measure drawer reduction, the stance-phase shifts captured in this study offer strong evidence that stifle orthoses provide targeted mechanical support right where it counts. Read the full study here.  

If your dog loves to sprint, leap, or zoom through agility courses, an unexpected front-leg limp can feel devastating—especially when it turns out to be a wrist sprain. Fortunately, groundbreaking research in veterinary medicine has proven that surgery or rigid casting isn't your only option. Here is what every dog owner needs to know about how custom carpal braces work, and why one landmark study changed canine rehabilitation forever. Understanding Your Dog’s Wrist: The Biological Spring To understand why wrist sprains are so tricky, it helps to look at how a dog’s front leg works. A dog’s wrist joint—known medically as the carpus—is a complex assembly of bones and supportive collateral ligaments. During athletic gaits like trotting or galloping, the carpus acts like a high-tech spring: Energy Storage: When your dog puts weight on their front leg, the wrist joint stretches into extension, storing elastic energy in the tendons and flexor muscles. Forward Propulsion: As the paw leaves the ground, that stored energy snaps back, propelling your dog forward with power and efficiency. When a dog stretches or sprains the ligaments that keep the wrist straight (a condition called carpal instability), that spring mechanism breaks. The wrist starts wobbling abnormally side-to-side (known as valgus or varus deviation). Instead of kinetic energy moving straight forward, it leaks sideways, causing pain, weakness, and persistent limping. Casts vs. Surgeries vs. Bracing: The Old Way vs. The Modern Fix Historically, dog owners dealing with carpal instability faced a difficult set of choices: Treatment Option How It Works The Drawbacks Strict Cage Rest Restricting all movement for weeks or months. Frequently fails to fix ligament sprains on its own. Heavy Casts & Bandages Immobilizing the leg completely in a rigid wrap. Total immobilization weakens healing ligaments over time. Casts cause pressure sores or tissue damage in 63% of pets, leading to expensive complication repairs. Joint Fusion Surgery Surgical plates permanently lock the wrist bones together. Permanently destroys the wrist’s natural "springiness". Has a high 50% complication rate and prevents most dogs from competing in sports ever again. Celebrating the Pioneers: Dr. Tomlinson and Dr. Manfredi A major turning point in veterinary medicine occurred when Dr. Julia E. Tomlinson and Dr. Jane M. Manfredi published their foundational study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA). Looking at human sports medicine—where human athletes wear functional braces for ankle and knee sprains rather than heavy casts—Drs. Tomlinson and Manfredi asked a critical question: Why aren't we doing this for active dogs? Their research became a cornerstone for modern Veterinary Orthotics and Prosthetics (VOP). They proved that an injured joint doesn't need to be locked completely still to heal; instead, it needs targeted support that controls bad movement while allowing safe, natural movement. Inside the Study: How Custom Braces Saved 14 Athletic Dogs The researchers evaluated 14 active, client-owned dogs suffering from severe carpal ligament instability that had failed to heal with rest alone. Twelve of these dogs were high-performing agility competitors, one was a working herding dog, and one was a beloved family pet. Instead of surgery or casting, the dogs were fitted with a custom-designed neoprene carpal brace lined with memory foam. (This brace is similar to the DogLeggs Carpal Support. The Hero Wrist Brace is for dogs that need much more support) The Design: The brace fitted snugly over the wrist, extending from above the paw pad up to the middle of the forearm. The Biomechanics: It completely eliminated dangerous side-to-side twisting (valgus/varus) while allowing safe front-to-back bending (flexion/extension between 135° and 180°). Allowing controlled front-to-back movement provided the exact mechanical strain needed to signal the body to deposit organized, strong collagen fibers to rebuild the torn ligaments. The 4-Step Rehabilitation Protocol The study demonstrated that a brace is most effective when paired with a structured, home-based rehabilitation plan: Full-Time Support (Weeks 1–8): The dog wore the custom brace 24/7. Owners removed it twice daily to inspect the skin and perform 20 gentle, passive flex-and-stretch repetitions on the wrist. Targeted Exercise (Weeks 2–8): Exercise was restricted to short leash walks. At week two, owners began static balance exercises (having the dog stand on three legs) to rebuild supporting leg muscles safely. Gradual Weaning (Weeks 8–12): Brace time was slowly reduced. The brace was removed for short walks and indoor time, but worn during faster outdoor sprints. Return to Sport (Weeks 12+): Supervised recall sprints and agility-specific drills safely conditioned the dogs to return to full competition speed. The Results: Back in the Game The clinical outcomes of this study were game-changing for the veterinary community: 79% Returned to Normal: 11 out of 14 dogs achieved complete, normal function. 92% Returned to Agility: 11 out of the 12 competitive agility dogs successfully returned to jumping, weaving, and competing in agility events! Pain Completely Resolved: Lameness scores dropped from a consistent, limping gait (median score of 3 out of 5) all the way to 0 (completely sound) at brace removal and long-term follow-up. Restored Joint Stability: Physical measurements confirmed that the affected wrists regained normal stability, matching the healthy, uninjured opposite leg. Safe & Affordable: Custom braces cost roughly $100 compared to ~$300 per week for constant clinic bandage changes. Side effects were minimal—only 3 dogs developed light hair rubbing, which was easily fixed by adding a bit more memory foam padding. What This Means for You and Your Dog If your dog suffers a wrist sprain or carpal joint instability, you don't have to accept an end to their active lifestyle. Thanks to the visionary work of Drs. Tomlinson and Manfredi, custom orthotic bracing offers a safe, comfortable, and highly effective alternative that helps your dog heal naturally while keeping their spring in their step. Speak with your veterinarian or a certified veterinary rehabilitation therapist to see if a custom carpal orthotic is the right path forward for your dog.

For years, the veterinary community has maintained a cautious—and sometimes skeptical—stance regarding orthotics for managing cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) ruptures. While surgery remains the traditional standard of care, many patients are not ideal candidates due to advanced age, comorbidities, or financial constraints. Custom stifle bracing offers a promising alternative, yet clinical uptake has been hampered by a lingering question: Does wearing a brace cause compensatory mechanical issues or restrict movement elsewhere? At the 11th International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy (IAVRPT) Symposium, Kirsten Häusler presented groundbreaking clinical research that addresses this exact concern head-on. Find full proceedings here The Findings: Preservation of Natural Mechanics Häusler’s study evaluated sound, adult Border Collies walking and trotting on an instrumented treadmill under three distinct conditions: baseline (no brace), while wearing a patient-specific custom stifle brace on the left hindlimb, and immediately post-removal. Using high-precision gait analysis, the study monitored spatial and temporal gait parameters—including symmetry indices, step length, and peak loading across all four limbs. Key insights from the presentation include: No Step Length or Symmetry Deficits: The patient-specific brace provided structural joint support without restricting natural step length or compromising gait symmetry. Zero Adverse Compensatory Load: Crucially, the orthotic produced no negative compensatory shift to the front limbs or contralateral hindlimb. Improved Hindlimb Loading: During trotting, wearing the brace resulted in improved, balanced weight bearing across the hindlimbs. What This Means for the Veterinary Perspective Häusler’s study represents a critical pivot point in how veterinary professionals evaluate non-surgical orthotic options. Historically, critics feared that rigid external bracing might artificially lock down joint mechanics, forcing the dog to alter its stride and overcompensate with healthy limbs. By demonstrating that custom-designed stifle orthotics preserve natural temporospatial gait parameters without inducing mechanical stress elsewhere, Häusler’s work validates orthotics as a safe, biomechanically sound intervention. It lays key objective groundwork showing that a brace can offer stability without forcing detrimental trade-offs. As objective gait analysis continues to replace anecdotal assumptions, research like Häusler’s equips veterinarians and rehabilitation practitioners with the evidence needed to confidently recommend stifle bracing as a primary or supportive therapy for CCL injury management.

Knees are joints. They give out over time. That’s certainly true of humans, and it’s also true of dogs. Dogs depend on knee ligaments for their joints to work much like we do, and when something goes wrong with a dog’s knee, it can be extremely painful and debilitating. We all love our dogs, and we will do whatever we can to give them a happy, healthy and comfortable life. If your dog injures his or her knee, you’re most likely going to research the issue before you can see your veterinarian. During that research, you’re going to see information regarding surgical procedures and other treatments. You may also come across information regarding knee braces for dogs. A dog knee brace may seem like a strange thing to ponder, but much like humans, there are situations where knee braces for dogs are a better option than surgery. Every case is different, but having an understanding of knee braces for dogs isn’t a bad thing before you speak to your vet. However, suggesting a treatment to your veterinarian can be tough. We all care for our animal so much we want to learn as much as we can to help our pet. We tend to lean on Dr. Google in these times, just like how we learned about knee braces for dogs in the first place. To make the conversation go smoothly, it's important to remember your Dr. went to many more years of veterinary school than Dr. Google. They did it because they care about animals very deeply. Appreciating this goes a long way with someone that may have had to deal with a deathly ill animal earlier in the day. As with any conversation, people do not like to be surprised. If you can, get the info about the dog knee brace to your Veterinarian before you meet. Or at the very least give them time to process any new info you bring to them. Here is an dog brace information sheet you can share with your veterinarian. It is also important to understand the background. For many years, surgery was seen as the gold standard for treating a CCL/ACL injury in dogs. "A chance to cut is a chance to cure" has been a saying in the veterinary profession for a long time. And for a long time, surgery was the only solution. There were simply no knee braces for dogs on the market that could adequately support a dog's leg, allowing them functionality and proper movement. There were fabric wraps available, but they just didn't do the trick. Then along came Hero. The Hero Brace was designed by both a veterinarian and an orthotist-prosthetist with a dog's knee unique biomechanics in mind. After many different designs and materials, the Hero Stifle Brace was created. Our Hero Brace starts with the neoprene sleeve customized to a dog's unique anatomy and then uses a black polypropylene shell for lightweight durability. The placement of our Velcro wraps holds the dog knee brace in the optimum place to ensure a secure fit and maximum functionality without relying on a harness or heavy piece of equipment. The brace effectively allows the dog's knee to develop scar tissue and heal on its own while keeping the dog active and happy. Sometimes Veterinarians can be resistant to the idea of knee braces for dogs simply because they haven't seen a product that works as effectively as Hero. Canine bracing is on the forefront of veterinary medicine, and gaining popularity all of the time. In the coming years, as more Vets graduate with the bracing skills, you are going to see more knee braces for dogs than you have to this point. Our Hero Braces have been endorsed by Dr. Carrie Adrian, the first PhD recipient in Canine Biomechanics and veterinarian and Michelle Beck, DVM and canine rehabilitation expert. Another CCRP who has worked extensively with animals using Hero Braces is Robert Porter who will be speaking at the STAAR conference in April. We also teach bracing with the University of Tennessee Canine Rehabilitation Program, a world-renowned canine rehabilitation program. If you have decided that you would prefer a non-surgical route because of concerns about complications of surgery, anesthesia, recovery time, financial reasons or just don't like the idea of surgery in general, tell your veterinarian. Great veterinarians continually want to learn more. They love working with you to make sure that your dog receives the best care possible. If that involves a dog knee brace, then that must be what's best for your furry friend. Let her know that you are not comfortable with the idea of surgery and then tell her about Hero. Heck, give her our phone number. We would love to discuss with her about what makes Hero braces so effective and how we can best put together a plan to help your dog get back on his feet.  

As devoted pet parents, we witness the sheer exuberance our dogs bring to life. But when injury strikes, it’s our duty to find solutions that restore their mobility and joy. Enter the canine stifle brace, a remarkable aid for dogs suffering from CCL (cranial cruciate ligament) tears. Canine CCL Tears Canine CCL tears can severely impact a dog’s stifle joint (akin to our human knee). These tears result from factors like obesity, strenuous activity, genetics, and aging. Certain breeds, including Labrador Retrievers, Staffordshire Terriers, and Saint Bernards are more susceptible. Symptoms vary from limping to complete lameness. If your furry friend shows signs of ligamentdamage, consult your veterinarian. They’ll perform a physical evaluation and X-rays to confirm the diagnosis. Surgery and Beyond While surgery is recommended and considered the standard of care, it’s not always feasible due to health issues or cost. That’s where non-invasive treatments come into play: • Joint Supplements: Fish oil, turmeric, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate aid in comfort.• Diet and Exercise Modifications: Proper nutrition and controlled activity help maintain a healthy weight.• Integrative Therapies: Acupuncture, Laser therapy, Extracorporeal Shockwave, Pulsed Electromagnetic Field, Animal Chiropractic, and Physical Rehab support recovery.• Pain Management: Medications alleviate discomfort.• Custom Bracing: Supports the stifle and applies corrective forces to help prevent excessive movement. The No Top Strap Solution Hero Braces revolutionized canine stifle support. Unlike traditional braces, they skip the top strap, offering unparalleled comfort and freedom. Here’s how they work:• Stabilization: Hero Braces focuses on increased stability for rear legs and knees. • Custom Fabrication: Each brace is tailor-made to fit your dog’s unique body structure, ensuring optimal support. Why Hero Braces? • Durability: Hero Braces withstand rough play. No worries about stretching or tearing fabric.• Sleek Design: Lightweight and sleek, they won’t hinder your dog with extra weight.• Custom Fit: With over 200 dog breeds, customization matters. Hero Braces nails it. The Science Behind the Top Strap Removal Hero Braces initially explored the force-couple concept, akin to approaches used in human medicine for addressing cruciate tears. However, canine biomechanics posed unique challenges. The origin and insertion of hamstring muscles in dogs differ from humans, affecting brace fit. Canine thighs change shape significantly during hip and stifle (knee) movement, causing fitting issues. The top strap often loosened during walking due to changing thigh size. To address this, Hero Braces consulted biomechanists at the University of Nebraska. They found that maintaining tension without design changes was mathematically impossible. By removing the strap, Hero Braces reduced fitting issues while still mitigating tibial thrust and cranial drawer. Our clinical experience showed that pets continue to do well without the top strap. For a deeper dive, watch out for Drs. Millis and Levine’s upcoming textbook on Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy. Remember, a stifle brace isn’t just a device; it’s hope for your beloved companion. Whether your pup is a playful Labrador or a dignified St. Bernard, consider this simple solution to restore their zest for life. I hope this blog sheds light on the innovative design of no-top strap stifle braces. If you have any questions, visit Hero Braces.

Not all dogs can have surgery, but we still want to reduce their pain. Dog braces help your dog walk sooner. The field of bracing is relatively new to Veterinary medicine, so not all doctors are familiar with how bracing works. We started designing braces to help these doctors over 15 years ago. After helping thousands of dogs recover, this is what we know.... What The ACL Does The ACL is a ligament that connects the bones above and below the knee. This ligament limits the bottom bone (the tibia) from sliding forward underneath the top bone (the femur.) This bad motion is called the cranial drawer. Veterinarians test to see if the ACL is torn by a cranial drawer test. Your vet pushes forward with their thumb and pulls backward with their fingers as shown by the red arrows. When the ACL is torn, the cranial drawer happens easily in your dog's knee. It scares and hurts your dog to put weight on the leg when this motion happens.  So they quit using the leg, and over the following weeks, muscles start shrinking from disuse. Arthritis Forms If the cranial drawer motion is allowed to continue long term, arthritis forms in the joint. Arthritis can be painful and slow your dog's activities later in life. So it is important to limit this cranial drawer motion as much as possible to slow the formation of arthritis.A torn ACL is the most common leg injury in dogs. It can be caused by strenuous activity, obesity, age, breed or a combination of all of those factors.Talk to your veterinarian about a dog brace as a treatment option when your dog tears his ACL. The brace applies the opposite forces (green arrows) to limit the cranial drawer. The Hero Brace is the only brace that provides support in these two areas with plastic versus trying to support the leg with velcro that will fail when a dog gets it dirty.Play sooner? Used alone OR to support surgery, a dog knee brace can provide a cost-effective permanent solution for your dog to play again. Robert Porter shows off his rehab of torn ACL in a Golden Retriever without surgery. Watch below About Hero Knee Braces for Dogs With such a high risk of additional injury -- some estimates say that 60 percent of dogs with one ACL tear are likely to tear the other side -- there's no time to waste if your dog has a sudden and significant leg injury. That's why we advise all owners, whether you plan to pursue surgery or not, to devise a plan of action to prevent further injury, minimize arthritis and reduce atrophy of the muscles. Working with veterinarians on the front lines of treatment, we've seen firsthand how our knee braces for dogs instantaneously provide mobility, confidence and a reduction of pain to suffering dogs of all ages. Just like with a person, an ACL tear is a serious injury, and hoping it'll get better on its own is no way to be a pet parent. But once you see how light, unobtrusive and easy it is to install and remove the Hero knee brace, we're confident that you'll do right by your dog. Unlike typical straps and convoluted velcro contraptions, the Hero dog knee brace is made from durable co-polymer plastic, which provides the rigidity your dog needs to prevent further injury without weighing them down. Better yet, the Hero brace is great for all kinds of activities, so not only will your dog get back their sense of independence and freedom, but games of fetch, frisbee and even a dip in the pool are all sure to get their tails wagging.

Using a Tarsal Brace with Graduated Articulation Most would agree that as practitioners we need to protect the Achilles tendon injury/repair early on and then slowly load the Achilles Tendon over time. That said, it is difficult to find a consensus on how to implement these needs. Below is a jumping-off point, a work in progress, based on my experiences and the knowledge gained from research of my peers. Please leave comments on how you think we should make it better. Partial Achilles Tendon Rupture or Post -Operative Arthrodesis Day 0 -Impression/casting at the time of diagnosis of a partial tear or end of surgery. Custom Orthotic will be taking the place of Bivalve Cast/Splint in 2-3 weeks. Weeks 0-2 -After Casting/Impression is performed place in Bivalve cast/Splint with dorsiflexion of toes, if possible at 45 degrees. Tarsus will typically be at 135 degrees extension. Recheck the bivalve cast weekly. Weeks 3-7  Sutures removed at 10-14 days post-op if used. Fit orthotic to pet. Orthotic is non-articulating. Wear in place of cast 24/7. Owner/practitioner to check 3-4 times a day for pressure sores. Begin rehab therapy. Continue rechecks every two weeks with Surgeon/RDVM. Weeks 8-11  -Cut brace to allow 15 degrees of articulation if a partial tendon rupture. Continue rehab in the clinic and at home. Weeks 12-16:  Pet out of brace or using as a “Sports Brace,” times of high activity. The pet needs to have sufficient strength to maintain a normal standing angle in Hock. The pet should be challenged with the rear leg in a “Three-legged Stand.” Typically 135 Degrees of extension. NOTE: Time intervals are stated as a guide. Some pets will need more or less time as they heal. This is where the “Art” of being a Practitioner is applied. Items to consider: Normal Range of Motion of the Tarsus. Flexion is 40 Degrees, and Extension is 170 Degrees in a relaxed pet. The normal Standing angle of the Tarsus for Tarsal Arthrodesis is 135 Degrees. According to Millis and Levine: Early partial weight-bearing and joint movement creates stress to promote parallel collagen alignment and increase tendon strength. The Hero Brace Tarsal Orthotic may help bypass or relieve weight-bearing forces to the healing tendon, much like incorporating a walking ring into a cast or external fixator. References: Small Animal Surgery 3rd Edition.  Fossum  pgs 1322-1324 Veterinary Surgery Small Animal 2nd Edition. Johnston and Tobios Vol 1 pgs 1204-1209 Small Animal Orthopedics and Fracture Repair 4th Edition. Brinker, Piermattei and Flo pgs 674-678 Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy. Millis and Levine 2nd Edition pg 573 “Calcaneal Tendon Tears in Dogs” Four Leg Rehab Inc Newsletter March-April 2012 Vol1 : Issue 1. Laurie Edge Hughes “Post-Operative Management of Tendon Repairs” Four Leg Rehab Inc Newsletter May-June 2012 Vol 1 : Issue 2. Laurie Edge Hughes Copyright Paul Brumett DVM, CCRP, cAVCA

The quick answer is yes. So why didn't my Veterinarian offer bracing as an option to help my dog? Many Veterinarians didn't have much success with early brace designs, which left them with a bad taste in their mouths. So much has changed over the past 15 years. Early braces were made by do-good pet parents. They all started by looking for solutions to help their limping dog. Yet, these pet parents didn't quite understand some mechanical principles to make the knee braces effective. Today, braces are made by actual orthotists (people trained in brace making) who have researched mechanics and materials that work for dogs. To better understand what has changed, let's look at dog knee braces from 3 different perspectives. 1- Fabric Vs. Plastic Braces To better answer the question, you need to have a simple understanding of what "bad motion" we are trying to limit with a brace.  In dogs, an ACL tear allows a bad motion called a cranial drawer.  This motion is the tibia slipping forward under the femur. This slipping startles your dog because its leg feels unstable. It can also be painful. Over time, slipping causes inflammation that results in arthritis in the joint. If dogs want to play... they won't really put weight on their foot unless their knee feels stable.  This is likely why they also tear the other ACL. Fabric braces were the first braces used to address this problem. The big problem is that fabric stretches. Because of this stretching, it is physically impossible to stop the slipping, so they didn't work. Also, fabric braces need some sort of harness to hold them on the leg.  The harness made it very complicated to put on.   It also limits the motion in the hip joints, so your dog cannot move very easily. Today, we use plastic that is more durable and can actually limit bad motion.   Some worry about the comfort of plastic, but I can vouch as an amputee that wearing a stable plastic device is so much more comfortable than a fabric piece that rubs back and forth.  The fabric feels like a rope burn. To replace the harness, plastic braces actually form-fit around bones so they can stay on the leg.  This allows the dog to move more fluidly. Some are tempted to start with a fabric brace until they can afford a plastic brace. Knowing how well a fabric brace works, you really are better off saving your money until you can afford the support you need. 2- Surgery Vs. Surgery Not Possible Many people cannot have surgery.  This has led people to look for other options to help their dogs. Surgeons know surgery works, so it can be hard to look at other options like bracing.  In the end, we want to help all the dogs. Surgeries like TPLO or TTA change the geometry of the bones and do not need added support from a brace. Surgeries like lateral suture or extracapsular work better with bracing. Heavier dogs can break the suture in these surgeries. Adding support from a brace is beneficial to help prevent too much pressure on the suture from failing. Dogs that cannot have surgery need some extra help until their body forms a medial buttress. (The medial buttress is the scar tissue that stabilizes the knee.) Veterinarians always like to see proof. Studies have been done by veterinarian colleges to help us know that braces do work.  If you are a big researcher, you can access those here.   If not, here's a quick synopsis.   A study done at Colorado State Veterinary School showed surgery wins out over bracing 98% to 85% for owner satisfaction.  So though not perfect, there is merit in bracing dogs that CAN NOT have surgery. University of Georgia Veterinary School did a study in a gait lab (complex measuring camera model.)  It showed the braces cause a shift in the knee motion when a dog puts its weight on the leg (when the bad motion happens).  However, it is not clear if this means that the brace stops the bad motion. The University of Louisville did a study simulating a dog's leg and a torn ACL, which showed the brace did as well as any surgery, limiting the bad motion.  And that the more rigid the joints, the better the brace did at limiting the bad motion. Most credible companies are supporting more research to validate what they have seen with thousands of successful patients. However, there will always be skeptics. Surgery is best, AND if you cannot have surgery for whatever reason, you have to figure out how you can best help your dog.   In human medicine, we do surgery AND a brace because insurance pays for both. In veterinary medicine, we generally choose surgery OR a brace. Ultimately, how you help your dog is your choice. 3- Custom-Made Braces Vs. Small, Medium, Large Fit All People who think braces don't work likely don't understand this difference. So, let me try to simplify it... If you were to tear your ACL, you would have 14 different sizes to fit your leg. Do you know how many breeds of dogs there are? The World Canine Organization recognizes 364 different breeds with a wide variety of shapes and sizes. So, how many different sizes of knee braces would you need for dogs? 14 x 364 = 5096 Okay, this is a large overstatement, but you get the picture.  Fitting dogs can be really tough with a few sizes. It is important to remember the bad motion we are trying to correct. The movement is so small that we really need a good-fitting brace to limit that cranial drawer motion.   Simply put, one size fits all is really one size fits NONE for dog knees. Ready-to-fit knee braces do not work. Custom is key to playing again! Custom just means you have to do a little bit more work upfront for the best chance for success.  The casting process is pretty simple.  Check out our casting tips to help. Ultimately, if you are here, you are trying to help your dog. We want to help you help your dog, too!

Why does biomechanics matter? Read how analyzing canine movement allows Hero Braces to provide superior support, preventing trauma and restoring full mobility.

Super excited about the research coming out on the Hero Brace. Torn Dog ACL? The Groundbreaking Science Behind Why the Right Knee Brace Actually Works If you’ve just found out your dog has a torn CCL (Cranial Cruciate Ligament), which is basically the doggie equivalent of a human ACL tear, your mind is probably racing. Your vet might have told you that expensive surgery is the only real option. But what if your dog is too old for anesthesia? What if they have other medical conditions, or what if surgery simply isn’t in your budget right now? For a long time, the veterinary world looked down on knee braces, writing them off as useless band-aids. But a fascinating episode of The Veterinary Rehabilitation Podcast turned that assumption upside down. Host Megan Kelly sat down with Ben Blecha (a human and animal brace expert and founder of Hero Braces) and Dr. Kiki Haeusler (a leading German veterinary physical therapist and researcher). They discussed brand-new, hard scientific data that proves a properly engineered, custom rigid brace isn't just a backup plan, it actively stabilizes your dog's knee and helps them heal. Here is what the latest science says, and why it perfectly explains why the Hero Brace design works so well. The Big Problem: Why Vets Used to Hate Braces To understand why this new research is such a big deal, we have to look at why vets were skeptical in the first place. If you go online right now, you can find dozens of cheap, soft neoprene fabric sleeves claiming to cure dog knee injuries. Spoiler alert: they don’t. When a dog tears their CCL, their knee joint becomes completely unstable. Every time they step down, their shin bone (tibia) slides forward painfully against their thigh bone (femur). A soft fabric sleeve cannot stop that massive mechanical shifting. Vets saw these cheap braces failing and causing nasty skin sores, so they assumed all braces were bad. But human medicine moved away from soft knee wraps decades ago, opting instead for custom-molded, hard-shell braces. The podcast panel set out to prove that when you apply that same advanced human engineering to dogs, the results are magical. The Science: The Treadmill That Doesn’t Lie Dr. Kiki Haeusler wanted to take the guesswork out of the equation. Instead of just asking owners, "Does your dog seem better?" (which can be biased), she put injured dogs on a highly advanced, high-tech piece of equipment called the Zebris CanidGait system. Think of it as a super-smart treadmill packed with thousands of pressure sensors. It measures: Exactly how many pounds of pressure the dog puts on each individual paw. The exact length and rhythm of their stride. How much they are limping or shifting their weight to their healthy legs. By testing CCL-deficient dogs completely bare-legged, and then testing them again wearing a custom rigid brace, Dr. Haeusler got undeniable, mathematical proof: The right brace instantly improves the dog's gait, balances their weight distribution, and stops the limp. Why the Research Points Directly to the "Hero Brace" Design The most exciting part of the discussion was how Dr. Haeusler’s data perfectly validated the exact engineering behind the Hero Brace. The data showed that for a brace to actually work, it needs to follow a very specific design checklist. Here is how the Hero Brace delivers on that science: 1. It Must Be Hard and Custom-Molded (No Soft Fabrics!) Dr. Haeusler's research proved that only a rigid structure can fight the forces inside a dog's knee. The Hero Brace is made from an ultra-durable, medical-grade rigid plastic shell. Because it is built from a custom plaster cast of your exact dog's leg, it fits like a second skin. It doesn't twist, slip, or rub, which completely eliminates the skin sores caused by generic braces. 2. The Magical "Three-Point Pressure" System To stop the shin bone from sliding forward painfully, a brace has to push back in just the right places. Ben Blecha explained the "Three-Point" physics system built into the Hero Brace: Point 1: A firm hold on the back of the thigh. Point 2: A secure anchor point low on the ankle. Point 3: A crucial, protective pad on the front of the shin that gently pushes the shin bone backward into its proper place. When your dog steps down, this three-point system acts as an external ligament, locking the joint in place so they can walk without pain. 3. An Hinge That Mimics Nature A dog’s knee doesn't just open and close like a simple door hinge; it moves in a complex, rolling arc. If a brace hinge is placed incorrectly, it will fight against your dog's leg, causing pain. Hero Braces use aircraft-grade aluminum hinges that are aligned perfectly with your dog's natural joint center. Dr. Haeusler's data showed that this allows the dog to flex and extend their leg totally naturally while completely blocking the dangerous sideways and forward sliding. 4. Boosting Your Dog's "Brain-Body" Connection When a dog tears their ligament, they lose the nerve endings that tell their brain where their leg is in space. This makes them protective, fearful, and hesitant to use the leg, leading to rapid muscle loss. Dr. Haeusler noticed that dogs wearing a total-contact rigid brace immediately walked with more confidence. The gentle, snug fit of the Hero Brace stimulates the nerves in the skin and muscles, essentially sending a message to the brain saying: "Don't worry, your knee is safe. You can step down now." Key Takeaway: A custom rigid brace doesn't just protect the knee mechanically; it gives your dog the psychological confidence to use their leg again, preventing their muscles from wasting away. The Road to Recovery: What This Means For Your Dog So, what happens long-term? When a dog wears a Hero Brace, the joint is held completely still and steady. Over a period of several months, your dog’s body does something amazing: it builds up its own natural scar tissue (fibrosis) around the joint. This scar tissue acts as a permanent, internal brace. Furthermore, because the treadmill data proves dogs can safely bear weight while wearing the brace, you can start physical therapy much sooner! You can safely take your braced dog to underwater treadmill sessions, do gentle balance exercises, and go for controlled walks. Best of all? By supporting the injured leg, you prevent your dog from overloading their other back leg, ”saving them from the dreaded "second ACL tear" that happens to so many dogs. The Bottom Line If surgery isn't the right path for your family, you don't have to lose hope. The science has officially caught up to the technology. By combining Dr. Haeusler’s groundbreaking data with Hero Braces’ custom human-grade engineering, we now know that conservative management with a rigid orthosis is a highly effective, scientifically backed way to get your best friend back on their paws. Special thanks to Dr. Kelly at Online Pet Health for the interview on the research presented by Kiki Haeusler at the IAVRPT at the University of Cambridge in August of 2022.