Dog Bracing Made Simple

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.)

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

It was a cold January day in an already cold and snowy Illinois winter. Diane noticed that her 8 year old yellow lab, Chloe, had come limping back into the house after playing in the snow. Diane dismissed the idea of anything serious, thinking that maybe she had just slipped on some ice and would heal on her own. A few months later, Chloe needed to have some teeth pulled. She did not do well with the anesthesia, and the experience was traumatic for Chloe and her owners. Her vet did get a chance to check her leg again at the appointment but, not noticing any obvious injury, wanted to monitor her condition. A week later, Chloe was playing in the backyard. She took off running and returned to the house hobbling on only three legs. She was unable to put any weight on her right rear leg at all. The vet confirmed that Chloe had torn her ACL and recommended surgery. She thought that Chloe had probably suffered an initial injury sometime in January, and it was her vigorous playing that caused the final damage. After Chloe's unfortunate dental experience, Diane was very hesitant to put her beloved pet under anesthesia again. Surgery also can sometimes be expensive and traumatic for certain dogs. She didn't think that surgery was the best option for her dog, so she did a little research. Diane found out about Hero online and discussed the idea of bracing with her vet. The vet and Hero worked together to make sure that Chloe was properly fitted for her custom leg brace and worked with the family on a plan for her rehabilitation. "I can't express how relieved my husband and I are that we were able to help Chloe without having to put her through surgery. She is so excited to go for walks again. She had a rough few months and I actually believe she was depressed. It was painful for her to go outside in the yard and walks were totally out of the question at that point. I realize it's only been a few weeks but what a change it has made in her. I'm so relieved and excited!" Diane is a hero in our book!

Understanding Cruciate Tears in Dogs and How Braces Can Help Cranial Cruciate tears, or CCL tears, are a common injury in dogs and can be seen in most breeds, although sporting and working breeds are seen more often. The CCL is a crucial ligament that stabilizes the knee joint, and when it tears, it can cause significant pain and mobility issues for your furry friend. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for CCL tears can help you provide the best care for your dog. Causes of CCL Tears in Dogs CCL tears in dogs can occur due to various reasons. Cruciate disease is a recent term that describes the gradual weakening of the fibers of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament over time. This leads to progressive tearing of the fibers that results in partial or complete failure. This is different from people who can tear their ACL from a fall or accident. Dogs that are overweight, have poor conditioning, or patella luxation are also at risk of CCL tears due to the added stress on their joints. Symptoms of CCL Tears in Dogs Recognizing the symptoms of a CCL tear in your dog is crucial for early intervention. Some common signs include:• Limping or favoring one leg. Can be persistent or off and on.• Difficulty rising or jumping• Swelling around the knee joint• Pain when the knee is touched or moved• Decrease in activity or reluctance to play or jump If you notice any of these symptoms, it's essential to consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Diagnosis and Treatment Options Diagnosing a CCL tear typically involves a physical examination, testing for Cranial Drawer/Tibial Thrust and radiographs or an MRI. Once confirmed, treatment options can vary depending on the severity of the tear and your dog's overall health. Surgical Treatment In severe cases, surgery may be necessary. There are several surgical techniques available, including: • Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) and CORA Based Leveling Osteotomy (CBLO): This procedure involves making a semi-circular cut under the tibial plateau to allow altering the angle to stabilize the knee joint.• Extra- Capsular Suture Technique: This method uses sutures to mimic the function of the CCL and stabilize the knee.• Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA): This surgery changes the alignment of the Tibial Crest and Quadriceps muscles to reduce stress on the knee. Surgery is considered the Gold Standard in patients that can have anesthesia. Recovery time depends on the severity of the damage to the Cruciate ligament and other structures of the knee. Non-Surgical Treatment For less severe cases or dogs that may not be good candidates for surgery, non-surgical treatment options are available. These can include:• Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce stress on the joints and improve mobility.• Physical Therapy: Exercises and therapies can help strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve stability.• Pain Management: Medications and supplements can help manage pain and inflammation.• Custom Bracing How Braces Can Help One of the most effective non-surgical treatments for CCL tears in dogs is the use of custom braces. Custom Dog knee braces are designed to provide support and stability to the injured knee, allowing your dog to move more comfortably and reducing the risk of further injury. Benefits of Dog Knee Braces • Support and Stability: Braces help stabilize the knee joint, reducing pain and improving mobility.• Prevent Further Injury: By providing support, braces can help prevent additional damage to the knee.• Comfort: Modern braces are designed to be comfortable and adjustable, ensuring a proper fit for your dog.• Cost-Effective: Compared to surgery, braces are a more affordable option for managing CCL tears. Choosing the Right Brace   When selecting a knee brace for your dog, it's essential to consider factors such as size, fit, materials and whether it will be custom made for your pet. Custom braces have a better fit and function than soft over the counter braces. Consulting your veterinarian for recommendations and aftercare will ensure the brace is properly fit to provide maximum support. Conclusion CCL tears in dogs can be a challenging and painful condition, but with the right care and treatment, your furry friend can recover and enjoy a happy, active life. Whether through surgery, physical therapy, the use of a Custom brace, or a combination, there are options available to help manage CCL tears and improve your dog's quality of life. Always consult your veterinarian for the best course of action and provide your dog with the love and support they need during their recovery.

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.  

Creating the perfect Casting can be summed up in four essential tips. Position. Tight. High. Criss-Cross. Understand each to make yourself the Casting superstar for Custom Orthotics! Let’s be clear on what “Casting” means in this article. Old school casts meant a kid with a broken arm had white plaster wrapped from elbow to wrist. These aren’t your old school casts! The word “Cast or Casting” is used because it sounds like “cast.” The material is fiberglass casting tape, used to make an impression of the limb. Position - The "Magic" of Walking Easily   This is where Hero Dog Braces really differ from other custom bracing. We ask for a cast with the dog lying on its side instead of standing. This is important for a couple of reasons. First is gravity.  Gravity is really what feeds any deformity.  The body weight pushes down on the legs, worsening the deformity.  Casting a dog while lying down neutralizes gravity, allowing you to focus on getting the limb into the corrected position. Second is rational.  Can you really get a dog to stand still for 15 minutes while the cast sets? Much less "correct" the leg while doing this. In our vet clinic, our team holds the dog to trim its nails. Casting is no different. So how do we correct the position?  It is important to remember what deformity we are trying to support. The cranial drawer of a cruciate tear is a unique motion. We reduce it differently from angular deformities like varus or valgus. When casting for the Knee Brace, pull the leg straight down perpendicular to the body. This will reduce the cranial drawer. Trying to cast in a “natural” standing position can cause the tibia to shift forward and adversely affect the fit and function of the custom orthotic. For the Ankle Brace, place the foot and ankle in a natural standing position.   The Wrist Brace reduces any varus (foot angled towards midline) or valgus (foot angled away from midline) deformity and places the foot in a natural standing angle. Typically, the pet is straight through the wrist, but it can vary with breed. If this one is confusing, give us a call, and we can help guide you through the process. Tight - Show us the Boney Landmarks   A Tight Casting is necessary for precision work. When the Hero Braces lab has exact dimensions taken from the Casting, they can create the best custom fit.   The Casting tape should be wrapped snugly to outline the bony prominences or bumps on the leg. If the Casting tape does not have sufficient tension, it will droop and fail to outline the prominences. This creates guesswork for the lab or necessitates another Cast. Remember, no padding is added, just a layer of stockinette to protect the limb. This keeps the Cast true to the leg's shape. Because the Cast will be removed as soon as it hardens, you don’t need to worry about pressure points. High - Capture the Groin   For the stifle, make sure the protective stockinette goes high into the groin or beyond the area to be cast. This is really important to have your helper focus on keeping the stockinette high. Notice where the hands are; it really helps to pull the stockinette high in the inside of the leg. When starting the Cast, casting tape is spiraled up the leg with a 50% overlap. The Casting tape wraps high into the groin for Custom Dog Knee Braces or to the joint above for the Wrist and Ankle Braces. Be sure to wrap to the end of the foot for our Custom Wrist and Ankle Braces. This technique enables the Hero Brace lab to identify landmarks, take measurements, and plan the proper dimensions of the Custom Brace. Criss-Cross - Make it Strong AND Thin This tip will make you happy when it comes time to cut off the cast. A thin cast is so much easier to cut through. A 50% overlap of the Casting material wrapped around the limb is completed by spiraling down at a 45-degree angle, like the spiral on a candy cane. Criss-crossing the material's weave creates a strong yet light Cast. The three layers created are thin enough to be cut off easily, yet they stay together during shipping and at the lab. For reference, download our Casting Tips PDF. For a more in-depth video about casting.  Watch our course from the UT Canine Rehab Lab If you have any questions or need a little help, we are here to support you. Make a quick phone call or send us an email. Hero Braces want to help you help more pets.

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