Knee Brace for Dogs

lucy acl tear knee brace
dog knee brace

One of the most heartbreaking mishaps in the life of any pet parent is when your dog gets an injury. You never want to see your pup limping. And, you know when they start that it could be the beginning of a long period of therapy, restricted movement, and may even lead to other health issues. Knee injuries, in particular, are painful and require isolation to heal. A common solution to knee injuries is a knee brace. However, there’s a lot of discussion about these being effective or not. Let’s discuss this.

Dog knee braces may be necessary when limited to no motion is a requirement for limb injury healing or to prevent further damage in a joint. In most cases, knee braces, also known as stifle braces, are necessary to limit the motion of a knee in a dog with an injury. In particular, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries are some of the most common knee injuries in dogs. Wearing a knee brace limits the movement of the leg which allows the tendons to heal.

In addition to ACL or CCL injuries, stifle braces can also be put to use for a wide variety of hind leg injuries including luxating patella and other conditions such as arthritis.

How a Knee Brace Works

Knee braces have come a long way. And, when you get one custom-made specifically for your dog, it helps keep their knee in place to allow their ACL injury to heal. Non-customized braces, splints, or neoprene braces are the best options after a custom-made knee brace.

A dog knee brace is meant to immobilize the joint to promote stabilization and allow the joint to heal. Limiting the flexion and extension of the knee joint allows the scar tissue to form a callus over the tear for healing. Stabilizing the knee joint serves several purposes. First, it reduces pain and inflammation, making your furry friend much more comfortable. Next, it helps balance a dog’s back and hips, which can prevent damage to other limbs and joints. A brace prevents your dog from putting undue stress on their healthy leg, thus decreasing the chances of damage to that leg.

Your veterinarian may give several options if your pet has a leg injury. These options may include medication, joint supplements, rest, a knee brace or worst case scenario surgery.

Pros and Cons of Knee Surgery

Pros

  • Saving $2000+.
  • The possibility that your dog will heal on their own.
  • Option to take a less expensive and less invasive route to help them heal (e.g. a knee brace, joint supplements).

Cons

  • Higher chance of joint issues.
  • More likely to develop arthritis earlier in life.
  • If the tear is severe enough it will take longer for them to get back to normal (if they do).
  • May sustain an injury to the compensating limb.

Supporting Your Dog’s Joint Health

Flexpet is an all-natural joint supplement formulated with CM8 to support healthy joints, cartilage, and a healthy inflammatory response. Flexpet is a supplement, not a medication. It has been on the market for 20 years, is made from human-grade ingredients in the USA, and is highly reviewed by verified purchasers. It contains ingredients including glucosamine sulfate, hydrolyzed collagen II, MSM, and vitamin C.

Flexpet is available as a maximum strength soft chew, as well as a regular strength chewable tablet (our standard formula). Both forms are tasty treats for our pets, so they won’t even know they’re taking a supplement. If you’d like to support your dog’s joint health, comfort, and mobility, you can learn more on our products page.