Do Dog knee Brace for ACL Work?
The ACL braces for dogs are similar to those for humans. Before we look at the canine side, let’s take a look at the human side:
The use of knee braces is recommended by some healthcare providers. A survey conducted by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that 63% prescribed functional bracing after ACL surgery. Furthermore, 71% of them prescribe these braces for up to a year after surgery.
In there, you probably noticed the term “functional bracing”. It’s because there are several types of braces. Two of the most common are:
Functional knee braces – used after ACL surgery to reduce improper knee movement, such as excessive rotation, sliding sideways, and inward caving.
Prophylactic knee braces – keep people from sustaining knee injuries without restricting their movement.
After an ACL surgery, the Healpup braces can help stabilize a knee as a prophylactic knee brace. As well as being a functional brace, it can also be a cosmetic one!
Why Does dog knee braces Work?
As with human braces, dog knee braces compress the knee, leg, or arm. Especially during movement, it keeps everything in place. The experience of wearing a brace will let you know how uncomfortable it can be to move too quickly, or to move in a strange way.
Similarly, dog braces work in the same way. You can restrict your dog’s movement by supporting its leg (front or back, depending on the brace). It shouldn’t hurt your dog if they move in a way it doesn’t want them to, but it will teach them not to.
Essentially, you can think of them as a training exercise that promotes healthy habits and joints.
CCLs are the focus of our brace (though we sometimes refer to them as ACLs for colloquial purposes). A dog’s ACL is only found in its two back legs.
So Why Would Your Dog Need a Brace?
Running is a favorite activity for dogs. Playing is what they enjoy most. They like to jump, skip, slide, and have a good time. It’s part of their nature. Dogs can overdo it sometimes. They may also be genetically predisposed to certain health problems.
In fact, an ACL rupture is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs and is the most common cause of degenerative joint disease in the stifle joint. ACL rupture occurs in dogs of all sizes, but is most prevalent in large and giant breeds, thanks to their weight and quick growth.
There is also the factor of age to consider. Dogs’ limbs become weaker as they age. Unfortunately, it happens to all of us.
It is for this reason that an ACL brace is necessary. Using the Healpup Braces, the tibia and femur are prevented from sliding outside their natural range of motion by controlling the backward slide. Your dog can walk comfortably and safely with it.
There are also braces that have metal bits and pokey bits. It is our goal to make our braces as comfortable as possible. We use neoprene, which is a durable material that is designed to last for years of use. Your pup will be able to wear the brace as long as they need it since it’s resistant to weather, scratches, and heat.
How do you measure a dog for a knee brace?
The measurement should be taken all the way around the body. The distance between the bottom of the paw and the top of the lower back. Around the middle of the thigh, halfway between the bend of the knee and the groin, measure the circumference.