Identifying and treating leg pain in dogs can be tricky. After all, they can’t verbally tell you how they feel or how they’re doing, and you can’t easily make them understand that you or your dog’s vet is doing something to help them. Whether a dog is a young, active puppy, a senior with mobility issues, or anywhere in between, it’s important for your favorite furry friend to be able to get around when it’s safe for them to do so—to go potty, to eat food, and to come to you when they need something or want to provide you with affection.
For ligament issues, particularly those that worsen over time, dog knee braces may be a solution to help your dog stay healthy and active. Always take a dog to the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment, but it’s good to be aware of possible solutions, including dog knee braces.
Knee Braces for Dogs Can Treat the Most Common Dog Ligament Issue
Aside from lacerations from trauma, the most common issue dogs have with their legs is anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries. You may have heard of an ACL before, as humans also have them, but because legs are shaped differently, human and canine ligaments require different treatments and unique knee braces (canine knee braces are only for use on dogs, not humans or other animals). For the purpose of clarity, we’ll refer to the ‘dog version’ of this ligament as the CCL.
The CCL is load-bearing for dogs. As with humans, this critical ligament provides stability to the leg and can become damaged and torn with activity, acutely or over time. A dog that continues to maintain an active life and use their injured leg will only worsen the tear, resulting in a pet with some pain issues.
To prevent further CCL-related pain, your dog’s veterinarian may recommend dog knee braces, also known as CCL braces. Dog knee braces help stabilize the dog’s knee, supporting the joint and ligaments. This stabilization can prevent tears and further damage to the CCL. Note that your veterinarian may also suggest reduced activity for your dog, in combination with the use of the CCL brace, to allow time for the knee to stabilize.
In a younger dog with more advanced CCL issues, surgery may be required. There are multiple surgical techniques that can help dogs, however, surgery on the knee can also increase the incidence of arthritis later in life. If your dog recovers from a knee surgery, your veterinarian may also suggest dog knee braces to aid in recovery and to keep the joint stable and healing in a healthy way.
Other Applications for Dog Knee Braces
While CCL issues are a common reason for the use of dog knee braces, they can be useful to treat other issues in dogs of various breeds and age spans. This can include support following an amputation, arthritis and hyperextension, and a brachial plexus injury. Because every case is different and each dog is a different size, dog knee braces should be custom fit to the size and need of each dog for the best comfort, support, and chance to heal or improve the quality of the dog’s life.
Why Consider Dog Knee Braces Instead of Surgery or No Treatment?
Dog knee braces are considered conservative pain management in many CCL injury cases. In older dogs, it’s even more important to avoid expensive surgeries while still supporting your furry friend’s quality of life. In this case, a dog knee brace can help your dog stay comfortable in their golden years.
Surgical alternatives can be pricier. And without dog knee braces, existing CCL issues may worsen. It’s very difficult to tell an energetic dog to avoid moving and to rest, and while these measures may need to be taken, dog knee braces can support activity and healing.
Dog knee braces support your dog by including a firm, supportive structure to prevent the tibial thrust. Foam padding helps with comfort, and dog knee braces are durable, with stainless steel screws. They should also be usable for you, meaning you can take them on and off with straps. Knee braces can help your pet move normally, including sitting, swimming, resting, walking, playing, and running.
For dogs with CCL injuries, the brace may only be temporary, lasting less than a year until full recovery. Every dog differs, however, and senior dogs may require support for the remainder of their lives.
How Do Dog Knee Braces Work?
Dog knee braces function by helping the dog regain strength while supporting the dog’s leg, allowing for scar tissue formation, more mobility, and a reduction of pain. Overall, dog knee braces prevent tibial thrust.
Does Your Dog Have Signs of a CCL Injury?
If you’ve noticed your dog limping or find some sensitivity when performing a basic health check on your dog, it’s important to make a visit with your dog’s veterinarian and decrease activity until they get a checkup. You might also notice your dog has a bit of a personality shift if their leg is tender, and they may cry out or express pain vocally. Don’t push them; aggression is common when a dog is protecting an injury.
Dogs with CCL injuries and dogs potentially needing dog knee braces might have a hunched back and may limp. Additionally, they might have a change in eating and defecation/urination habits or may express pain by panting more and squinting their eyes. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, it’s urgent to get them to their veterinarian immediately.
When getting dogs used to examinations or dog knee braces, you may wish to offer them treats to reward them for calm behavior during the experience. However, a thorough examination of both physical body and demeanor is best conducted by a veterinarian who can advise on whether dog knee braces are reasonable options for your dog.
Overall, dog leg lameness issues can be caused by a variety of issues, but the CCL tear is rather common, just as ACL tears are common in active humans. Whether your dog undergoes surgery or not, it’s possible that physical rehabilitation may be required with the support of dog knee braces. It’s important to note that custom-fitted solutions can provide the most comfort and best chances for healing for your dog, as every dog is different.
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