Dog Bracing Made Simple

Yearning to return hiking and his camping lifestyle, Jason Darrah of the Primal Outdoors Channel needed to find a way to help his dog Wheeler avoid surgery for his torn ACL. Looking for an alternative to surgery he found Dr. Lisa Plumb of Klamath Animal Hospital and Go Hero Braces. Watch his journey below: And if you are really in the mood, buy some of Wheeler's coffee here!

Canine intervertebral disc disease or IVDD is a condition where the disc material between two vertebral levels deteriorates and extrudes into the vertebral canal, compressing the spinal cord. The result is a varying degree of neurological deficit, affecting the dog’s ability to walk, perceive sensation, or have bladder and bowel control. The current recommendation for dogs with IVDD is to undergo surgical intervention as soon as possible following the occurrence of symptoms. However, for many owners and their dogs, surgical intervention is just not an option. If this is the case, what can be done for these dogs? Understanding intervertebral disc disease Intervertebral discs sit between the vertebrae throughout the length of the spine. While we like to think of intervertebral discs as separate from one another, in reality they are very connected – we should consider them as part of one structure. The disc is made up of an outer ring, the annulus fibrosus, and an inner portion, known as the nucleus pulposus. The nucleus pulposus is gelatinous and has a very high water content. When Things Go Wrong If the disc degenerates, the annulus fibrosus becomes hard and brittle, making it prone to rupture, while the nucleus pulposus becomes calcified and solid. In the event of a disc herniation, the annulus fibrosus can remain intact but change its shape and protrude into the spinal cord. Alternatively, the annulus fibrosus can rupture, causing the nucleus pulposus to escape into the spinal cord. In both cases the spinal cord becomes compressed. Categorizing Disc Disease IVDD is usually categorized into one of two categories. Acute Hansen Type 1 extrusion In this condition, the annulus fibrosus ruptures and the nucleus pulposus escapes into the spinal cord, causing compression of the spinal cord and neurological deficits in the patient. This usually occurs in chondrodystrophic breeds between 3 and 7 years of age, with the signs of dysfunction progressing over the course of a few days. These dogs are usually in great pain. Chronic Hansen Type 2 protrusion In this condition, the annulus fibrosis remains intact, but loses its shape and starts to bulge into the vertebral canal. This often occurs on more than one spinal level, and it can be very difficult to determine which spinal level is responsible for the neurological symptoms in the patient. This condition usually occurs in older, large breed dogs with slowly progressing neurological signs. Often these patients are affected with other conditions, such as arthritis. Discerning deep pain The presence or absence of deep pain sensation in IVDD patients creates a large divide in how we think about these patients’ treatment, and their prognosis for recovery. Patients who have deep pain sensation intact have a good prognosis for a return to function. Patients who do not have deep pain sensation have a poorer or guarded prognosis for recovery. This seems to be true whether surgery is performed. Treatment For dogs that lose their ability to walk, surgery is currently the recommended treatment route. In this article, we will not be discussing surgical treatment, but rather medical management. Learn more about the different surgical techniques and whether surgical intervention is the best option for your animal by speaking to your vet. Medical management Medical management usually includes a combination of cage rest, pain control, bladder management and rehabilitation or physiotherapy. Rest This can be the most challenging component of medical management. Rest aims to improve the condition in a few ways: • preventing further extrusion of the disc material into the vertebral canal; • allowing the body time to resorb the disc material within the spinal canal; • protecting the dog from further injury because of neurological deficits and a inability to walk. There are many different recommendations for the duration of rest and how strict rest needs to be. Dr Paul Freeman recommends at least one week of strict cage rest, followed by three weeks of exercise restriction and cage rest when necessary. We can help make rest easier with a few enrichment activities and modifications to the environment to ensure that the dog receives mental stimulation and social interaction, remaining part of the daily activities of the household. Pain Control A multi-modal approach to pain control is highly recommended. The pain needs to be managed as quickly and efficiently as possible. Many veterinarians will prescribe a combination of opioids, NSAIDs, and gabapentin – please discuss pain control with your treating veterinarian. Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy The primary goal of physiotherapy is to help the patient regain function as quickly as possible. We also want to facilitate the best possible quality of functional motion. There are a few ways in which we might work towards these goals. Rehabilitation of Neurological Conditions The rehabilitation of neurological conditions focuses on helping the patient to regain function. During the initial phases of rest, a rehab therapist can help both the owner and the patient negotiate the challenge of confinement with advice on the following areas: • Mental games that help build postural awareness and stability • Advice on incorporating the patient into activities of the household safely• Massage and gentle traction techniques that may be performed with the patient daily to reduce pain and encourage healing• Gait retraining that can be performed daily to help maintain the muscle and sensory stimulation from the affected areas without stressing the spine• Fitment of supportive devices such as harnesses, back braces, carts, etc., depending on the needs of the client and the patient. As the patient begins to heal and regain function, the rehab therapist will continue to aid in optimizing function in a variety of ways. A Rehab therapist plays an essential supportive role as they help to overcome the individual challenges faced by the owner and the patient throughout the stages of progression and healing. The Use of a Back Brace for IVDD The use of a back brace for dogs with IVDD may be indicated in a few different instances. A back brace is protective, helping to stabilize the spine and reduce movement through the back, making it ideal to use during the phases of rest when we want to prevent any further damage to the intervertebral discs. As dogs with IVDD start to regain function, they can be very ataxic, with large anduncontrolled movements of their limbs and back occurring throughout movement. Using a back brace during walking can help stabilise the body, preventing uncontrolled ataxic movement that can be damaging to the spine and the soft tissues of the back and limbs. When the dog practices walking in a straight and stable fashion, we also strengthen those neurological pathways, establishing them as the norm. In other words, the more the dog practises with correct posture, the more it will become second nature. Walking with incorrect posture will have the opposite effect, establishing damaging movements as the norm. Chronic type 2 IVDD, especially, can benefit from the use of a back brace during periods of activity. The back brace is also something that can be used during strenuous exercise once the dog has recovered function, or in the event of a recurrence of IVDD in the future.  

Not sure bracing fits into your practice? Initially a skeptic, Dr. Beck shares how her veterinary practice has grown to use bracing. 100% of my professional time is devoted to healing animals.  You could say I come by it naturally.  My father and I are both veterinarians. I took it a step further and am a certified canine rehabilitation therapist. Our private practice still believes surgery, with rehab, is the best way to treat orthopedic injuries. AND not all dogs can have surgery. My first experiences withe bracing were in 2010.  Initially, I was skeptical about bracing for cranial cruciate disease (torn ACL). After bracing many patients I have found it extremely useful when used in combination with rehabilitation therapies. I have had many cases where bracing has made a dramatic difference in a pets life. One patient tore both CCLs in the course of two years and chose to brace one leg and rest for the other (conservative management).  While both knees are now stable, the braced knee has better range of motion and less scar tissue that the knee that went unstabilized (no surgery, no brace).  I think that speaks to the biomechanics of the brace in preventing tibial thrust. I had a 150 lb. Boerboel dog tear both cruciates within 30 minutes of each other.  He had surgery on one knee and the other knee was braced. Otherwise he would not be able to walk and he was certainly to large for his mom to carry. I had a labrador retriever patient that lived on the second story apartment building with no elevator.  Bracing allowed her to use the stairs without pain, and she could still go for walks with her mom in downtown Omaha..  This treatment certainly made life easier for her mom! The Brace Honestly, I think what makes Hero Braces exceptional is their customer service. I feel like Ben, the orthotist, has a deeper understanding of the needed fit and support because he is an amputee and wears a prosthesis everyday. I have always believed that the more empathy you can have for your patients, the higher quality care you can provide them. The Hero Braces are very high quality and durable for all the wear and tear a dog can do. Dogs do very well with the application of the braces, and most owners do a great job monitoring the leg for  any changes from the brace. Michelle Beck, DVM CCRT

Luke's story makes him sound like the perfect adventure hero. He was born in the cold, icy fjords of Alaska. His mother was fending for herself in the wild when rescuers were able to save her pups from a life of uncertainty. Luke is a Malamute, Husky, Akita and wolf mix who, at 10 weeks old, moved to California to start a new life with Terri. That's when the adventure really started. Terri and Luke were inseparable for a year and a half. Hiking and exploring the Sierra mountain range and getting into all sorts of trouble together. Their story took a tragic turn three years ago when Luke was struck by a car resulting in a fractured pelvis. A specialist surgeon was able to repair it with a titanium plate, but Luke began to experience sciatic nerve pain. Terri was unsure if the damage developed from the accident or as a result of surgery. To alleviate the pain, the surgeon recommended amputating Luke's leg. Terri would do anything for her best friend, but she wanted to do whatever she could to save Luke's leg. She just so happened to have friends in the veterinary industry with some alternative ideas to eliminate Luke's pain and avoid amputation. Jackie Woelz from the University of California-Davis began a treatment of physical therapy. Wendy Robinson, DVM of Tahoe Integrative Veterinary Care in Truckee, CA added a series of acupuncture. The series of treatments were able to restore enough muscle mass to Luke's leg which had atrophied due to lack of movement. Six anticipated months later, when he was strong enough, Luke received his Hero Brace. Almost immediately, Luke took to the brace and hasn't stopped running, hiking, swimming or enjoying life for the past three years. "Without Ben and Hero (and Monica!) Luke probably would have lost his leg," Terri explains. "Life would not have been much fun. Thanks so much for being out there Hero!" Terri looks forward to the next chapters in their story and the many adventures that await.

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 braces 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.  Which 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, meant the brace did a better job 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!

Your dog has been shaking his head a lot lately, and then suddenly, you see something disturbing: His ear flap has swelled up. Aural hematomas are also known as ear hematomas or even blood blisters. An aural hematoma usually forms from trauma to a dog’s ear — often from head shaking — that causes a blood vessel or vessels to break and bleed into the area between skin and cartilage that make up the ear. Aural hematomas are often a result of an underlying issue like allergies, ear infections, or something in the ear canal like a tick, mites, or a grass lawn. These will cause a dog’s ears to feel itchy or uncomfortable, leading to shaking and scratching at his head and ears — and resulting in ear trauma. Effective treatment involves treating the hematoma while also treating the underlying condition. Conditions Leading to Ear Hematoma Environmental and food allergies can both lead to a lot of itching and discomfort in pets. There are many potential triggers for both kinds of allergies — from chicken and corn in food to pollen, grass, and mold in the environment. Allergies in themselves can take some investigation to figure out, but elimination diets and allergy testing may be a good place to start if these are suspected. An ear infection is another condition that may cause a dog to shake his head excessively. They are painful and uncomfortable. When ear infections are chronic, there may be underlying conditions — including allergies and hormonal imbalances like hypothyroidism, for example. So if your dog is getting a lot of ear infections, it’s important to figure out the root cause. Dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors may end up with something in their ear — like a tick or grass awn. As you can imagine, this is highly uncomfortable for a dog and will cause him to shake his head. Fortunately, once the foreign body, like a tick, is removed from your dog’s ear, the problem should rectify itself on its own. If you have a younger dog with itchy ears, he may have ear mites. Some signs of these tiny parasites include head shaking, scratching ears, ears that droop when they’re usually upright, smelly ears, and a dark, coffee-ground-like discharge. Puppies and young dogs are more prone to get ear mites than adult dogs. Of course, there are other reasons why a dog might shake his head enough to cause an ear hematoma, like a bug bite, so it’s important to keep a watchful eye if you notice any excessive shaking by your dog. Aural Hematoma Treatment There are a few ways an ear hematoma is treated. Surgery is one common treatment and involves draining the hematoma and suturing the ear flap while the dog is under sedation. A vet may also choose to use a syringe to aspirate the fluids out of a dog’s ear flap or place a drain to remove the blood until it heals and bandages the head and ear. Holistic remedies may include homeopathy, topical applications of yarrow oil and/or witch hazel, and compression wraps. The Surgi-Sox Aural Compression Bandage is an alternative for head and ear bandaging. It helps prevent damage to the ear during head shaking. It can also reduce head shaking and help keep ear medications inside the ear to treat underlying ear conditions. A compression wrap may help a hematoma from getting worse or keep a new one from forming. An ear hematoma may actually heal on its own over time. However, it can result in scar tissue and deformation known as “cauliflower ear,” which can block the ear canal. It’s best to consult a vet to develop the best plan to treat your dog’s ear hematoma, which should also include addressing any underlying conditions. Prevention Ideally, a dog never gets an ear hematoma in the first place. If you start to notice your dog shaking his head or scratching at his ears excessively, take note and act quickly before it turns into something worse. Check his ears for foreign objects and make sure he’s not hurting himself. If it continues, start looking into possible causes, including allergies, infections, and ear mites, and schedule a veterinary visit.

Super excited about the research coming out on the Hero Brace. 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.  

Though it’s not something we often think about, dogs use their elbows a lot. And the bigger the dog, the more weight that ends up on their elbows when they’re resting. Some dogs, especially large breeds, may develop elbow hygromas as a result. A hygroma forms under the skin as a fluid-filled, fibrous capsule in reaction to physical trauma on the dog’s soft tissues, including in areas like the elbows and hips. Elbow hygromas are not tumors or calluses. They’re inflammation that can turn serious if not taken care of. Hygromas generally start off soft and small, but repeated trauma can lead to growth and hardening. There is a risk of infection, which requires medical treatment. Elbow Hygroma Complications Though pet owners may not even notice elbow hygromas in some cases — in other cases, they may grow very large or become infected. Infection usually occurs after the hygroma ruptures, creating an open wound. If the hygroma gets infected, your veterinarian will likely prescribe antibiotics. Your vet may also recommend surgery if the situation worsens. These scenarios are not easy to overcome, considering how often dogs use their elbows. Healing any wound, whether from surgery or a rupture, will likely prove challenging in a spot like this. How to Prevent Elbow Hygromas Since a hygroma is an inflammation that’s basically a result of soft tissue stuck between a bone and a hard place, padding is the best kind of prevention. Make sure your dog has plenty of access to cushioned bedding, such as memory foam beds, especially if you have hard floors in your home and your dog spends a lot of time sleeping. Adding some floor padding may also help. Keeping a dog’s weight in check is also important. Maintaining a healthy weight for your dog isn’t only good for his or her joints, but also the areas covering the joints. The heavier a dog is, the more weight is placed on the elbows and other bony areas, which can lead to hygromas. This is why larger breeds may be more impacted. Elbow padding is another way to help prevent elbow hygromas from worsening or from forming in the first place. Providing this direct cushioning can help relieve pressure and give the swelling a chance to subside.   Standard-Length Adjustable DogLeggs cover mostly the elbow area. Scandi Orthopedic MPC Front Leg is made with a waterproof, stretchy, and breathable fabric without any seams inside. It covers the entire front leg. Add Some Cushion The best way to keep elbow hygromas from turning serious is by preventing them in the first place or catching them early. Keep an eye on the state of your dog’s elbows (and other bony areas) and act quickly by adding some cushion to your dog’s environment and elbows as soon as you can.  

If you found this post, it is likely that something bad just happened to your furry friend's leg. You may be searching for a perfect solution, and haven't found it yet. Worst case, you may even be wondering when to put down a dog with a torn ACL? First, DON'T; euthanasia is NOT the answer for this injury. There are several options to help a dog with a torn ACL. Dr. Brumett talks about them in this article. Let's see if this situation sounds familiar... It's just like any other day; you're playing fetch with your dog. Normally, you throw the ball, he runs after it, and returns, tail wagging. YET, today, he doesn’t return right away. When you go find him, he's hopping back, unable to put weight on his rear leg. But he's still proud to have brought you the ball! A trip to your vet reveals that your dog has suffered a cruciate ligament tear – essentially a torn ACL in dogs. Your vet says he needs surgery, but it will cost several thousand dollars. You are also concerned about putting your 10-year-old golden retriever under anesthesia. PLUS, you hear it is very likely they will tear the other ACL within a few years. Sooo...is surgery the ONLY option for an ACL tear in dogs? Actually, there are several options to treat a dog with a torn ACL. You may also wonder, will a torn ACL heal on its own? Unfortunately, no. Once torn, the ligament will not heal like skin or bone. Your dog will need treatment to stabilize the leg so they can walk effectively without injuring the other limbs that are now carrying more weight. Although surgery is considered the “gold standard” for cruciate ligament tears in dogs, there are other alternatives when a dog’s advanced age, financial concerns, or a health issue such as liver or kidney disease makes surgery impossible, according to veterinarian Dr. Paul Brumett, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner and owner of Animal Tracks Rehabilitation and Fitness LLC in Colorado A cruciate ligament tear creates an unstable knee in the dog. “It stretches the other ligaments and joint capsule of the knee, which creates a lot of pain,” Brumett said. The dog will experience swelling and great discomfort and will not be able to put any weight on the leg. Over time, the limb will develop arthritis, which can be painful and reduce the dog's activity even more. Something must be done – so what are the other options? Medication Pain management with conventional medications and nutritional supplementation is one route pet owners can take when dealing with cruciate ligament tears. However, since many pain medications have side effects when used over time, it is not ideal for long-term use, which Brumett considers more than a couple of weeks. “One of the things that I like to do is try to get these guys off the pain meds as soon as I can,” he said. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common type of pain medication used. Still, they can cause liver and kidney problems, including failure of those organs in some cases, as well as gastrointestinal issues. Though Brumett said most dogs can be safely managed on these medications for several years, he prefers using nutraceuticals such as veterinary glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate complex, chondroprotective agents, essential fatty acids, and hyaluronic acid, which can all help with joint health. Another downside of treating only with medication is the crate required to prevent pets from overworking or worsening the injury. “Many 5-year-old labs will play through an injury and make it worse,” said Brumett. “So if the pet can't be under direct supervision, then keeping them in an appropriately-sized room or appropriately-sized crate makes sense until they are sufficiently healed to do more.” He added that, ideally, dog pain relief is provided alongside rehabilitation and bracing. Orthotics Orthotics, or bracing, such as a Hero Brace, offer an alternative when surgery is not possible, according to Brumett. The knee orthotic maintains the knee in position so the dog can walk again. Because the canine species comes in so many shapes and sizes, we custom-make each size for comfort and optimal support. “What we’re doing is stabilizing the knee,” said Brumett, who works with the company. He added, “Pets that are wearing a stifle brace can be walking better in a day. We start out slowly and progress over a couple of weeks to get them used to it and to increase their sporting/workload.” Find My Brace Rehabilitation Brumett advises using an orthotic, such as Hero, in conjunction with canine rehabilitation. Many modalities may help, including laser therapy, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy. He said his rehab facility starts cruciate ligament treatment with ice therapy followed by heat therapy to help with that intense swelling and pain. As part of hydrotherapy, rehab may involve using an underwater treadmill. The water itself serves as a support to the dog’s body and movements. The amount of support is adjusted by changing the water level: the more the dog’s body is submerged, the more support he receives as he walks on the treadmill. “Rehab helps maintain strength, balance, and mobility,” said Brumett. “[It] can decrease recovery time and increase comfort; increasing the strength, balance, and mobility of a pet lessens the workload on the joint. A healthier and stronger joint needs less pain medication.” Ultimately, it’s up to the pet owner as to what course to take, but there are some options. Brumett said dogs who have a cruciate ligament rupture but don't have surgery, rehab, or bracing can develop some level of stability on their own in 6 to 12 months—and these dogs are typically comfortable walking, running, or jumping. With a brace, a dog can be back out playing in just a few weeks. Find My Brace More About Knee Braces for Dogs For worried owners and dogs dealing with a torn ACL injury, it can be a frustrating experience if surgery isn't an option (at least for right now) and medicines only manage the pain or, worse yet, they give your dog a false sense of security, encouraging them to play harder and risk further injury. As the lightest weight dog knee brace available, a Hero brace can give your favorite canine relief from their suffering and increase their mobility. Plus, the easy-on/off suspension band makes removing and applying the brace as straightforward as attaching a collar or leash. Furthermore, the lightweight co-polymer plastic is durable and waterproof, so even a swim isn't out of the question. Specially designed to resist motion that can cause further injury, inflammation, arthritis, and atrophy of the leg's muscles, Hero knee braces allow your dog to return to normalcy while their leg heals. Better than risky surgery and drowsy drugs, especially for older dogs, a Hero brace is nothing like those old, complicated, and tired leg straps that don't do much of anything to prevent bad movements as their velcro and straps loosen. A Hero brace, on the other hand, is made of rigid plastic, providing consistent support for as long as your dog needs it. In fact, some dogs are so filled with excitement with a Hero brace on that they jump for joy -- literally! We've seen and heard stories of many happy customers playing fetch and frisbee, going on hikes, and doing other activities that they loved before their injury. And we're so delighted that we were able to restore their mobility and confidence so they don't miss a single moment with their adoring families. With no need for anesthesia or other tricky treatments, the Hero dog knee brace is an excellent way to give relief for a torn ACL in dogs, whether surgery is in their future or not. Go hero go! Find My Brace