Dog Bracing Made Simple
Tips and tricks to help your dog succeed with added support
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Do Dog Knee Braces Really Work? The Surprising Science Behind Stifle Orthoses
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.
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Bridging the Gap in Canine Orthotics: Kirsten Häusler’s Research on Stifle Bracing
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.
Dog Bracing Made Simple
How Research & Custom Bracing Helped Diego Walk Again
***This success story is based on a research project done by Kirsten Hausler, a Veterinary Researcher in Germany. The original research was published here. A version translated to English can be found here.
Dealing with a torn cruciate ligament (often compared to an ACL tear in humans) is a scary moment for any pet parent. While surgery is the most common recommendation, what happens when your dog is older or if general anesthesia is simply too risky?
A recent case study by veterinary physical therapy expert Kirsten Hausler highlights an incredible conservative (non-surgical) approach. Through physical therapy and a custom knee brace, a dog who couldn't have surgery was able to walk normally again—and the clinical data proves exactly how it works.
Meet Diego
Diego is a 9-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog who tore his cruciate ligament while chasing a squirrel. Because of his age and a disastrous past experience with anesthesia, surgery was off the table. His veterinary team decided to try a non-surgical route.
The Science of the Limp: How Dogs Shift Their Weight
When a dog hurts their knee, they don't just limp—they completely shift their body weight to avoid pain. In a healthy dog, weight is distributed relatively evenly. But when Diego was first injured, researchers used a special high-tech treadmill to measure the exact pressure of his paws.
The results showed a massive weight-bearing shift:
Diego was putting only 30% of his body weight on his injured back leg, while his healthy back leg was forced to take on 55% of the load.
To compensate for his painful hind leg, he also put dangerous strain on his front legs, with his right front paw taking on a whopping 74% load!
This severe weight-bearing shift threw his whole body off balance, took a massive amount of energy, and caused a 57.3% asymmetry in his hind legs.
The Solution: A GoHeroGo Stifle Brace
Diego's treatment started with therapies to reduce swelling, like laser and shock wave treatments, followed by careful underwater treadmill exercises. But the major turning point was fitting him with a custom Goherogo knee orthosis (brace).
Getting the brace was a stress-free process for Diego. His vet took a simple mold of his leg in about 20 minutes. That mold was shipped to the USA, and within two weeks, Diego had a custom-made knee brace designed to perfectly fit his leg.
Validating the Brace: The Proof is in the Paws
How do we actually know the brace is supporting the dog? By measuring those weight-bearing shifts again!
Using the instrumented measuring treadmill, the veterinary team was able to capture hard, objective numbers to prove the brace was doing its job:
After just three weeks of using the brace, Diego's hind leg asymmetry dropped by more than half, falling to just 10%.
After four months, the asymmetry between his back legs dropped to an incredible 2%.
The treadmill data showed that the weight load on his injured leg steadily increased over time.
Because the brace stabilized the bad knee, Diego felt comfortable bearing weight on it again, which relieved the heavy strain on his other three healthy legs and leveled out his body's center of gravity.
By objectively tracking how Diego shifted his weight back to normal, the study validates that the stifle brace actively supports the knee, encourages the dog to use the injured leg, and restores their natural balance. Today, Diego can go on much longer walks and moves safely through his everyday life without pain.
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Cecelia and Ozzie's Triumph Over a Volleyball Injury
Rising from a torn ACL and multiple surgeries, in the end a simple knee brace allowed Ozzie to return to comfort a Mom battling dementia.
Ozzie and Harriet...er...
Cecelia and Ozzie have been best friends for the past 11 years.
Not only is the 12-year-old, black Chow mix a lifelong companion to Cecelia, but he’s a great comfort to her mom, who has dementia.
"Sometimes my mom won't remember who I am, but she'll always recognize her dog,” says Cecelia of her mom’s love of Ozzie.
Cecelia moved back home in 1994 to help take care of her ailing mom. Dementia doesn’t just affect one family member — it can take its toll on the whole family. Cecelia says Ozzie has been a great help, with his calming and steadying presence, for all members of her family.
Cecelia found Ozzie back in 2004 on a pet-finding website. She drove from just outside of Lincoln, Nebraska all the way to St. Louis, Missouri that Memorial Day weekend. Ozzie was only about 1 1/2 years old then.
Adventure takes a turn
Besides having a therapeutic nature, Ozzie also has an adventurous spirit. On a recent visit to a friend’s house, Ozzie injured his leg playing sand volleyball with the other dogs. When he was trying to get back in the car after the visit, Ozzie whimpered.
While it occurred to Cecelia that it could be hip dysplasia, it turned out that Ozzie had actually torn the ligament in his knee.
Ozzie's veterinarian recommended surgery. Unfortunately, the first surgery was not successful. As a result, a second surgery was performed.
But Ozzie wasn’t out of the woods yet. While he was recovering from his second surgery, he tore the ligament in his other knee. Ozzie then underwent a third surgery to help repair the ligament in that knee.
Cecelia knew she had to do something to help Ozzie. After three surgeries, she had to find some additional support to help him heal properly and avoid further injury. She thought about what is available to humans for similar injuries. Humans often use leg braces. Was something like this an option for dogs?
The knee brace
After some research, she discovered Hero and its dog leg braces. After Cecelia connected Ozzie's veterinarian, Dr. Pat McInteer at Hillcrest Animal Clinic, with Hero Braces, the company sent a casting kit. Within a few weeks, Ozzie's brace arrived at the door.
After the brace was placed on Ozzie, he was able to stand up and bear weight on his leg immediately. Within a few hours, Ozzie was almost back to walking normally.
Ozzie is getting up there in years — but don't tell him that — and he is undergoing treatment for arthritis of his toes. He doesn't run as much as he used to, but he is able to go for short strolls and live pain-free.
He continues providing companionship and therapy to Cecelia and her mom. While Cecelia does all she can to help the dog that has given her family so much to live a full, happy life.
(Ozzie’s story was originally posted on June 12, 2015.)
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Bodhi is a survivor. She's a 14-year-old, lovable Cattledog and has been battling cancer for the last year and a half. She's been through two surgeries and two rounds of chemo, but nothing can keep her down. Literally.
A few months ago, Bodhi was playing in the backyard when she made a quick turn and immediately yelped, falling to the ground in pain. Doctors determined that she had completely torn her back left ACL. She was unable to put any weight on it at all, with all movement excruciating. Bodhi need to be carried around everywhere, even outside to relieve herself. This was another obstacle to a dog who has already gone through so much.
Because of Bodhi's cancer and her age, her oncologist recommended against surgery since it would require months of rehab. Out of options, the family considered putting Bodhi down. Then her chiropractor suggested a Hero Brace as an option. She had seen success for other clients and referred the family to Dr. Annette Richmond in Carmel, CA.
Dr. Richmond examined Bodhi and created the cast for the brace. After three weeks, the brace for the ACL tear arrived. It only took a day or so for Bodhi to get used to the brace. Now she wears the brace from morning until just before bedtime and has about 80% of her mobility back.
Bill, Bodhi's owner, reports that her attitude improved immediately, and her quality of life has returned. "Shortly after she started wearing her Hero Brace, she got her "silly" back and is thoroughly enjoying her golden years," Bill says. "I just wanted to say thank you for such a great product. I can't speak highly enough of the results."Bohdi has overcome so much in her dog life. We are happy to be a part of her survivor story. Go. Bohdi. Go
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Bionic Pickles - Dog ACL Success
When Alisha says "hold the pickles," she's not talking about a burger. She's talking about her almost three-year-old Great Pyrenees/Akbash-mix Pickles.
Alisha has been holding and snuggling Pickles since the rescue dog was six weeks old. Pickles had been battling a severe case of parvovirus and struggled with respiratory issues for months with a less than 50% chance of survival. After fighting back with a mix of medications, steroids and a whole lot of moxie, Pickles pulled through.
Just this spring, Pickles was playing with her sister Popcorn (I know. Adorable.) when she made a quick turn on the wet grass and let out a yelp. Alisha's father-in-law, a veterinarian, knew immediately that Pickles had torn a ligament.
The family's local vet recommended surgery, but Alisha was apprehensive. She was concerned about complications with the hardware required for the recommended surgery. She was worried about future injury after the surgery. She was also apprehensive about the 6 months recovery time and wondered how Pickles would be able to remain immobile with three other active dogs in the house. Alisha decided to look for other options.
Alisha's husband had torn his ACL a few years earlier (a similar injury to a dog's CCL tear). One of the options his doctor had recommended had been a non-surgical route with bracing. Alisha knew that if that was an option for humans, there would have to be something similar for dogs. That is when she found Hero Braces.
"The durability and the science behind the brace is pretty impeccable. Now Pickles and her dad have matching braces; it's crazy how much the braces function and resemble one another."
Since Pickles has received her ACL brace, the family is amazed at how active she has become again. She runs and is able to keep up with her pack. When Pickles is in her brace, she acts like a puppy again. Alisha says that Pickles gets excited to put it on and has never shown any discomfort, "We call her our little bionic pup."
Bionic Pickles. Sounds like a great superhero name to us.
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Stifle Braces in Dogs: Freedom Without the Top Strap
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.
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Dog ACL Brace Review - Dr. Carrie Adrian
If you ever wondered where stifle bracing started, Dr. Adrian was there from the beginning. She has played an integral roll in the evolution of several braces and has worked with most manufactures helping dogs.
Devoting her professional career to helping further canine physical therapy, she was the first person to earn a PhD in canine biomechanics from CSU Veterinary School.
Below is an interview from dvm360 about her experiences with cruciate bracing.
Dr. Adrian started working with Hero Braces in 2005 and has help us refine our brace designs to help thousands of dogs. We appreciate her insight very much!
Owners appreciate veterinarians that offer bracing for the dogs that cannot have surgery.
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Torn ACL in Dogs - How Braces Help
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.
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Wheeler Conquers The Great Outdoors With A Torn ACL
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!
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Benson Battles Cushing's and ACL Tear: Wins!
Benson was born November 21, 2001. He is a parti-colored Cocker Spaniel that sat up and begged for Maria Lowe to take him home 13 years ago. Since then, he has been the joy of the Lowe family's lives. They love to dote on him and treat him like royalty. As a matter of fact, anyone who comes into contact with the family jokes about a desire to be reincarnated as a Lowe family pet.
As a young dog, Benson loved to play frisbee and seemed to fly through the air to catch it. As Benson aged, he slowed down, and although some of that had to do with the normal aging process, he also had some tough times physically. During his 13 years, Benson has had several surgeries for tumor removal and is currently battling Cushing's Disease.
Two years ago, Benson became very sick, running a fever of 105. The family quickly brought him to the ICU, but the prospects seemed grim. After the tests and blood work, Benson's vet, Dr. Gordon Schmucker from Lisbon Vet Clinic in Lisbon, Ohio was unable to determine what was wrong. He suspected there were complications with the Cushing's Disease and Benson's immune system. Benson did make a recovery but lost some of his hearing and became sensitive to different medications.
A few months after he recovered, Benson tried to jump up on the bed and fell back, crying with a limp. During a quick phone consultation, Dr. Schmucker recommended aspirin and monitoring. A few days later, the vet was able to examine Benson and made the official diagnosis of a torn ACL. Worried about what it could do to Benson's weakened body, Dr. Schmucker did not want to recommend anesthesia. Surgery was ruled out as a treatment option. He recommended seeing how Benson would do, letting it heal on its own.
Maria's son, Eric, is a local middle school assistant principal and athletic director. He knew that humans benefit from proper bracing when they injure their ACLs and thought he could find something similar for animals online. He found Ace Ortho Solutions, now known as Hero Braces.
Dr. Schmucker was unfamiliar with bracing for dogs but agreed to cast Benson. He did express concern that Benson would wind up just chewing the brace because of previous experiences with him, but was interested in trying it as an option.
When the knee brace arrived, Benson never looked back. It almost seemed like he knew it made his leg feel better and totally accepted that fact. He never chewed or bothered his brace.
Nowadays, Benson doesn't play as much as he used to due to his age. He can still run along the fence and chase the mailman and the UPS man, who really get a kick out of him. All around, the family reports that he gets around very well. The veterinarians at the clinic are amazed, and Benson is a celebrity there.
Maria and her family would recommend Hero Braces to anyone who may be looking for options for their pet. "Thank you so much for creating them and for all of your compassion and help. Hero is an outstanding place to deal with, and Monica is so helpful. Cannot say enough about what this brace and Hero have done."
Dog Bracing Made Simple
ACL tear recovery: See why Magoo's family chose a non-surgical Hero Brace over a costly surgery. His vet was thrilled with the results—Magoo snuggles again!
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Zoey, Thankful for Thanksgiving
Zoey's liver condition made ACL surgery too risky. Read how a custom Hero Brace provided the non-surgical stability she needed to run, play, and recover fully.
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Caleb, Happier than a Pig in Slop
When Caleb tore his CCL, his owner refused 13 weeks of crating. Read how a custom Hero Brace provided a non-surgical solution that made Caleb "happier than a pig in slop."
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Even after a full ACL tear, Roxy returned to "super dog" status! Her vet recommended a Hero Brace over surgery, allowing this athletic Boxer-mix to run, jump, and play again.
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Bowa's Comeback: From Injury to Obedience Champion
When surgery threatened Bowa’s career, his owner found a custom Hero Brace. Discover why this non-surgical solution was the perfect choice for a competitive dog's recovery.
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Jack's Triumph: Overcoming Knee Injury with a Hero Brace
When four surgeries couldn't fix Jack's patellar luxation, his owner (a vet) chose a Hero Brace. Read how this custom knee brace prevented re-injury and restored his activity.
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Kepa tore a knee ligament, but couldn't have surgery. Read how a custom Hero Brace got this adventure dog back to hiking the Pacific Crest Trail pain-free!
Dog Bracing Made Simple
Do knee braces really work for dogs?
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!
Dog Bracing Made Simple
After a traumatic experience with anesthesia, Chloe's owner was hesitant about ACL surgery. Find out how a custom Hero Brace saved this Lab from the operating table.
Helping Pets live fuller lives
Helping Pets live fuller lives