KNEE BRACES (ORTHOSIS) FOR DOGS

Every step your four-legged friend takes should be easy and pain-free. Unfortunately, knee problems such as cruciate ligament (CrCL) injuries are common among our canine companions, and these troubles can limit their mobility and affect their quality of life.

The good news is that canine knee braces or orthoses offer a promising solution to support, stabilize, and facilitate knee rehabilitation for these precious members of our family. For daily relief or to help with rehabilitation after surgery, ORTHO DESIGN’s custom solutions can be adjusted to meet your dog’s unique needs. Our orthotic devices will provide your dog with comfort, mobility and a better quality of life.

Choosing an effective knee brace for your dog

In dogs, the knee joint endures a lot of stress as it plays an important role in their ability to run, jump, and play. An injury or weakness in this area can not only cause pain and discomfort, but can also severely limit your pet’s mobility.

A well-fitted canine knee brace (orthosis) will provide significant support to the joint, reducing pressure and helping prevent movements that could aggravate an existing injury or cause a new one. By providing adequate stabilization, you help your dog maintain the physical activity necessary for their health and well-being, while minimizing the risk of future injury.

Cruciate ligament (knee ligament) injuries in dogs

A dog’s knee is made up of several ligaments, including the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL), equivalent to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in humans and sometimes also referred to by this name. This ligament is located in the knee joint and connects the femur to the tibia. It stabilizes the knee by controlling the front-to-back movement of the femur relative to the tibia (also called the movement of the anterior drawer) and prevents excessive rotation of the knee.

Stretching, partial tearing or complete tearing of this ligament are the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs. The resulting instability will unfortunately lead to discomfort, pain, and eventually osteoarthritis.

However, by stabilizing the dog’s knee with a knee brace (orthosis), you can help them regain their quality of life.

The benefits of a custom canine knee brace

Just like humans, each dog is unique, with its own canine morphology and needs. A custom knee brace is the best way to offer effect support and achieve the perfect level of comfort.

Unlike “one-size-fits-all” solutions, custom knee braces can be adjusted for each unique dog. The design and fit will take into account your dog’s size, weight, unique health conditions and level of daily activity. Custom designs make it possible to guarantee that the brace will fit snugly over your dog’s knee, providing optimal stabilization without the excessive friction or compression that often leads to further problems.

In addition, a custom orthotic device for dogs is often more comfortable, which increases the likelihood that they will accept and wear it regularly, allowing for better healing and injury prevention.

For several years now, custom canine knee braces have become an effective alternative when surgery is not recommended. There are several reasons you may wish to avoid surgery for your pet, including:

When the cranial cruciate ligament is damaged, a custom dog knee brace will stabilize, maintain and significantly control knee instability: internal and external rotation, sideways movements (involving the medial and lateral collateral ligaments) and the movement of the anterior drawer of the tibia in relation to the femur.

Recommended cases for canine knee supports or knee braces

Stretching, partial or complete tear of the cranial cruciate ligament (anterior cruciate ligament) or other knee ligaments
Medial and/or lateral knee instability
Osteoarthritis or arthritis
Knee misalignment (varus/valgus)
Preoperative: waiting for surgery for financial or other reasons
Postoperative (protects, for example, an operated knee)
Preventive protection during intense dog activities (agility, etc.)
Patella luxation
Additional knee support for senior dogs
Temporary or permanent knee support

Canine knee brace (orthosis) design

Orthosis designed and manufactured by ORTHO DESIGN via interprofessional collaboration with veterinarians

When it comes to knee braces for medium to large dogs, depending on the animal’s activity level, age, environment, and so on, we usually propose an orthodic device that mimics a polycentric joint (two axes of rotation) made with aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel.

The polycentric knee joint for dogs is designed and manufactured specifically and exclusively for ORTHO DESIGN according to our recommendations. This orthotic device respects the natural movement of the knee and offers the highest stabilization of any orthoses on the market.

ORTHO DESIGN: Experts in creating custom orthotics for animals

At ORTHO DESIGN, we have a profound understanding of how important it is for our four-legged friends to enjoy mobility as part of their overall well-being. As specialists in the creation and design of orthotic devices and custom prosthetics for dogs and other animals, our mission goes beyond simply supplying equipment. We are committed to restoring the quality of life and freedom of movement of every animal we help, via our unique expertise and knowledge.

Our personalized approach starts with a thorough assessment of your dog’s specific needs, so we can design each orthosis (brace) or prosthesis (artificial limb) to be perfectly tailored to their individual body type and needs. By choosing ORTHO DESIGN, you are opting for a solution that combines cutting-edge technology and compassion to offer your furry friend the highest level of comfort and satisfaction.