Custom Made Dog Knee Brace

A Cruciate Knee Ligament Injury is the most common medical condition that use a custom knee braces.

What happens in a cruciate knee injury? A ligament is a band of strong connective tissue that joins bone to bone. Part of a ligament’s function is to stabilise and support the joint. 

Injuries happen for a variety of reasons: sudden trauma (such as twisting or jumping); because of degeneration through wear and tear; and certain breeds are predisposed to ligament tears and ruptures e.g. Labradors and Retrievers, Rottweilers, Bulldogs, and Newfoundlands.

If your dog has a cruciate knee ligament injury, you might notice him limping, or becoming suddenly lame. You may notice your dog favouring one leg only and not putting weight on the leg with the affected ligament. Sometimes, when it’s very serious, a dog will hold the whole leg off the ground. There may be swelling around the knee (stifle) joint.

Sometimes a dog injures their cruciate knee ligament so badly it can’t heal itself.  This is usually the case with fully ruptured ligaments, which can’t mend themselves and so need surgery to fix. However, there are many reasons why a dog can’t have surgery, usually - but not always - age-related.

In these scenarios, investing in a custom dog knee brace can be a great, long-term way to support your dog’s knee joint and extend their mobility.  This is particularly the case if your dog is young and bouncy, with lots of energy. Having a made-to-measure dog knee brace means that you can be reassured your dog’s knee joint is getting the most appropriate support.

Watch this YouTube video of Titus the husky, making a full recovery without surgery by using a custom knee brace and rehabilitation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPQGUOzm0w0

Other Medical Conditions Where a Custom Brace Helps

1. Post-surgery knee brace for dogs - contributes to management of the leg during post-operative recuperation (except in the case of TPLOs), it can be used as a canine rehabilitation knee brace.

2. Patella luxation management - the brace doesn’t directly control the patella, as it’s such a small bone. Instead, this works because the brace limits the knee joint’s range of motion. Luxation happens when there’s deep flexion or full extension. Therefore, not allowing the knee to extend or flex fully limits the potential for patella luxation. Custom-fitted stifle support, such as this custom dog knee brace, reduces the sideways motion of the knee joint which also contributes to keeping the patella in place.

3. Contralateral support - i.e. canine knee support for the other knee joint when there’s been cruciate ligament surgery on the opposite leg. There are studies that show between 22% and 54% of dogs with an initial unilateral CCL rupture on one side (unilateral) will suffer a rupture on the other side (contralateral) within 6 to 17 months. 

4. Partial ligament tears - on average it takes 6 months of wearing the brace for a partial ligament tear to heal and stabilise fully.

5. As an alternative to splinting for leg fractures - distal femoral fractures (i.e. thigh bone break that’s happened close to the knee) or proximal tibia/fibula fractures (i.e. leg bone break - either tibia or fibula - close to the knee).

6. Leg Contracture management - this is when the leg’s range of motion is affected because there’s abnormal shortening, tightening, or stiffening of leg muscles, tendons, or surrounding tissues. It can cause discomfort or difficulty with movement. The custom dog knee brace has the option of Ultraflex joints which are hinges which provide adjustable tension. This means the custom dog knee brace has the ability to manage flexion OR extension contractures. Using the brace provides tension to the contracture. This tension gently, over time, increases flexibility and lengthens the shortened muscles and tendons - all while still keeping the knee joint stabilised. 

7. Arthritis - this can be used as a dog arthritis knee brace, to help manage the pain of arthritis by supporting the swollen, inflamed stifle joint.

Custom Made Dog Knee Brace here

How will this custom knee brace help my dog?

A made-to-measure dog knee brace assists with healing from injury, with post-surgery rehabilitation, or for chronic conditions like arthritis. Using two braces on your dog’s back legs (following an injury on one leg), gives support to the other knee joint which is weight bearing most of your dog’s body weight. 

Benefits of the Custom Dog Knee Brace:

• Great option for dogs whom surgery isn’t viable (because of age, cost, or other contraindications)
• It provides support and stabilisation to the knee (stifle) joint
• Speeds up healing time
• Economical when compared to surgery costs
• Allows a return to improved activity levels and near-normal joint function
• Wound inspection is easier
• Releases pressure on a contralateral limb (the opposite leg)

About the Custom Dog Knee Brace:

• Lightweight
• Doesn’t have strap over bottom
• Hand-sculpted using thermal vacuum-formed technology
• Bespoke and fully customised - it’s fitted to your pet's very own limb
• The affected area is cushioned by non-porous medical-grade foam, which reduces pressure
• Adjustable durable hook and loop strap system to tighten and loosen for comfort
• Made is the USA
• Removable
• Six Month Warranty
• Waterproof
• Range of Motion Hinges
• Allows full range of motion, limited range of motion, or a locked position.
• Flex Motion
• Allow Motion that mimics normal ligament mobility
• Durable Non-Slip Tread (if applicable)
  

What is included in the purchase of a Custom Dog Knee Brace?

• Choose from a choice of different colours to personalise your dog’s brace
• A casting kit - we will get it shipped to your vet and then arrange for the finished cash to be collected and shipped to the factory in the US, where the brace is made
• The Custom Dog Knee brace - Zoomadog will organise shipping the brace to your vet so it can be fitted. This shipping is included
• Please note that because these braces are customised, they are non-refundable.

How long can my dog wear this brace?

After an initial breaking-in period of two weeks, while your dog acclimatises to wearing the brace, the custom dog knee brace can be worn throughout the day but removed twice daily to check the skin for rubbing or hot spots. It’s also not recommended to leave your dog unattended while wearing the brace, in case they catch it on something, or try and chew it off.

I’ve decided to order a custom dog knee brace. What do I need to do next?

When you place your order for the Custom Dog Knee Brace you will receive an automated email asking for information about your dog’s condition, measurements, and your vet’s details. This is so we can send the casting kit to your vet. You’ll also be asked what colour you’d like the brace to be.

Zoomadog will then arrange for the casting kit to be shipped to your vets (some owners feel confident they can do the casting themselves. If this is the case, instructional videos will be sent).
 
You will then let us know when the cast is ready and Zoomadog will organise to have it collected and shipped to the US, where the brace is made.

At this point, you’ll also be asked to provide some measurements by email (and possibly measuring photos) so that when the cast arrives in the US, these can be compared with the measurements of the physical cast.

The brace is made according to the cast. Once it’s ready, Zoomadog will organise to have it shipped to your vet’s so that it can be fitted.

Custom Made Dog Knee Brace here