Advancements in Dog Orthotics Over the Year

Helene Petersen of KVP Orthotics writes to us to describe the available methods of improving the quality and mobility of our beloved dogs.

 

Over the years, there have been plenty of breakthroughs in the field of dog orthotics. As pet owners, this is certainly to our benefit. If before, there weren’t very many options for us to help
improve our dogs’ quality of life, now, there is hope.

 

Here are some of the recent advancements in dog orthotics.

Orthopedic Braces
One of the biggest advancements in dog orthotics today is orthopedic braces. Before, most injuries and orthopedic problems only have surgery as the solution. Nowadays, orthopedic braces can be used both as an alternative or adjunct to surgery. Our dogs no longer have to suffer from the pain and discomfort if they are not able to get surgery.

Back Brace
There is a wide range of orthopedic braces available for our dogs. One of the most common is a back brace. This is often given to dogs who have problems with their vertebral column or spine. Whether it’s for an injury or for correction of wrong posture, back braces are an excellent solution.

Knee Brace
Knees are perhaps the most commonly injured part of a dog’s limbs. This is specially for susceptible dog breeds like German Shepherd, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, and many more. You may ask your veterinarian if your dog is susceptible to this issue. A knee brace is often indicated for problems like anterior cruciate ligament or ACL tears as well as other ligament or tendon injuries in the knee.

Hock Brace
Hock braces are certainly unique to dogs. They are used to support our dog’s back legs. Oftentimes, dogs injure or strain their hock joint from trauma, overuse, and other factors. A hock brace can help them become more comfortable by reducing the swelling and inflammation in the area. Because of this, they are also great for old dogs suffering from arthritis.

Elbow Brace
Although less commonly injured, our dogs’ elbows are certainly not immune to problems. Elbow dysplasia is a disease of large dog breeds. They can be a very painful condition for the dog if not addressed properly. With an elbow brace, we can help improve their mobility and lessen the pain.

Fortunately, dog orthotics is a continuously evolving field. Through this, we can always rely to find the perfect solutions for our dog’s orthopedic problems. We can expect more innovations to come in the field. Thus, we can also expect more options and ways for us to improve our dogs’ lives."