Guest guest Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Hi Jeff, Back to a discussion that Sherman and I had a while back about bracing. The human literature has shown that bracing post-op is not any better than non-bracing, not to mention that the surgical technique is entirely different when dealing with an autograft (with the potential to stretch) vs an osteotomy. What will bracing the dog do for him that that the TPLO did not? Laurie Edge- From: VetRehab [mailto:VetRehab ] On Behalf Of Jeff Bowra Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 10:34 AM To: VetRehab Subject: Stifle Brace We have been rehabbing a year old male GSD police dog. He had a CCL tear repaired by TPLO along with a lateral colateral tear repaired by bone anchors and nylon. It happened when he caught it going over a fence on a chase so it was a traumatic ccl tear. He is now over 5 months from surgery and doing very well with just mild short lived lameness after heavy exercise that resolves with rest. WE had talked about having a stifle support to use when training and non working exercise. Working with a brace likely would not be practical. If he was a human who had this injury he would likey wear a brace when exercising. I would like opinions as to thoughts regarding a brace in this situation where he is still a young dog and obviously it is important that he continue to work as long as he can. And back to which brand of brace is preferred and would be most comfortable and would he tolerate it at high levels of exercise. Thanks -- Jeff Bowra DVM Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner Aldergrove Animal Hospital 26841 Fraser Highway Aldergrove, BC, Canada www.familypetdoc.com www.thespaw.ca No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1672 - Release Date: 15/09/2008 9:21 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Thanks Laurie I am not concerned about the cruciate as much as I am concerned about the lateral collateral. A we know the TPLO causes the caudal cruciate to stabilize craniocaudally but we are relying on nylon and fibrosis to stabilize collaterals. I would not be asking this question if the colateral was not involved. Jeff Hi Jeff, Back to a discussion that Sherman and I had a while back about bracing. The human literature has shown that bracing post-op is not any better than non-bracing, not to mention that the surgical technique is entirely different when dealing with an autograft (with the potential to stretch) vs an osteotomy. What will bracing the dog do for him that that the TPLO did not? Laurie Edge- From: VetRehab [mailto:VetRehab ] On Behalf Of Jeff Bowra Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 10:34 AMTo: VetRehabSubject: Stifle Brace We have been rehabbing a year old male GSD police dog. He had a CCL tear repaired by TPLO along with a lateral colateral tear repaired by bone anchors and nylon. It happened when he caught it going over a fence on a chase so it was a traumatic ccl tear. He is now over 5 months from surgery and doing very well with just mild short lived lameness after heavy exercise that resolves with rest. WE had talked about having a stifle support to use when training and non working exercise. Working with a brace likely would not be practical. If he was a human who had this injury he would likey wear a brace when exercising. I would like opinions as to thoughts regarding a brace in this situation where he is still a young dog and obviously it is important that he continue to work as long as he can. And back to which brand of brace is preferred and would be most comfortable and would he tolerate it at high levels of exercise. Thanks -- Jeff Bowra DVMCanine Rehabilitation PractitionerAldergrove Animal Hospital26841 Fraser HighwayAldergrove, BC, Canadawww.familypetdoc.com www.thespaw.ca No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.comVersion: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1672 - Release Date: 15/09/2008 9:21 AM -- Jeff Bowra DVMCanine Rehabilitation Practitioner Aldergrove Animal Hospital26841 Fraser HighwayAldergrove, BC, Canadawww.familypetdoc.comwww.thespaw.ca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Jeff, If you are addressing the Lateral colateral I suggest 3 things for the best protection 1. There are both lateral and medial joints to the brace. This helps restrict the frontal plane motion that the lcl limits. 2. The brace be made of a rigid material. Fabric will not be strong enough to apply the corrective forces you may need. 3. The brace be custom. If you want the best results. You mentioned that it would not be practical to "work" with the brace. May I ask why? Hope this helps. Ben Ben Blecha, CPOwww.skyprosthetics.comwww.TriAmphant.com-- Those who can laugh without cause have either found the true meaning of happiness or have gone stark raving mad.~Norm Papernick Stifle Brace We have been rehabbing a year old male GSD police dog. He had a CCL tear repaired by TPLO along with a lateral colateral tear repaired by bone anchors and nylon. It happened when he caught it going over a fence on a chase so it was a traumatic ccl tear. He is now over 5 months from surgery and doing very well with just mild short lived lameness after heavy exercise that resolves with rest. WE had talked about having a stifle support to use when training and non working exercise. Working with a brace likely would not be practical. If he was a human who had this injury he would likey wear a brace when exercising. I would like opinions as to thoughts regarding a brace in this situation where he is still a young dog and obviously it is important that he continue to work as long as he can. And back to which brand of brace is preferred and would be most comfortable and would he tolerate it at high levels of exercise. Thanks -- Jeff Bowra DVMCanine Rehabilitation PractitionerAldergrove Animal Hospital26841 Fraser HighwayAldergrove, BC, Canadawww.familypetdoc. comwww.thespaw. ca No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. comVersion: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1672 - Release Date: 15/09/2008 9:21 AM -- Jeff Bowra DVMCanine Rehabilitation PractitionerAldergrove Animal Hospital26841 Fraser HighwayAldergrove, BC, Canadawww.familypetdoc. comwww.thespaw. ca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Ah yes, my apologies Jeff. I was in speed-read-mode and admittedly skipped over that! The human research does indicate that even a neoprene sleeve-type apparatus/brace has been able to enhance proprioception and hence joint stability...so perhaps even creating such a thing or wrapping the stifle with a tensor bandage (ace bandage for the US folks) or vet wrap (with an ‘anchor’ going around the abdomen) might be sufficient for the short term to enhance exactly those things. And certainly worth a try...and certainly cheaper than other option. And just to cover my behind...I must put out there, that naturally it should not be wrapped to tight so as to avoid a tourniquet effect. I’m sure you would have been conscious of that...I have come to realize that almost everything in print must be ‘qualified’ to avoid misrepresentation. J Cheers, Laurie From: VetRehab [mailto:VetRehab ] On Behalf Of Jeff Bowra Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 11:25 AM To: VetRehab Subject: Re: Stifle Brace Thanks Laurie I am not concerned about the cruciate as much as I am concerned about the lateral collateral. A we know the TPLO causes the caudal cruciate to stabilize craniocaudally but we are relying on nylon and fibrosis to stabilize collaterals. I would not be asking this question if the colateral was not involved. Jeff Hi Jeff, Back to a discussion that Sherman and I had a while back about bracing. The human literature has shown that bracing post-op is not any better than non-bracing, not to mention that the surgical technique is entirely different when dealing with an autograft (with the potential to stretch) vs an osteotomy. What will bracing the dog do for him that that the TPLO did not? Laurie Edge- From: VetRehab [mailto:VetRehab ] On Behalf Of Jeff Bowra Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 10:34 AM To: VetRehab Subject: Stifle Brace We have been rehabbing a year old male GSD police dog. He had a CCL tear repaired by TPLO along with a lateral colateral tear repaired by bone anchors and nylon. It happened when he caught it going over a fence on a chase so it was a traumatic ccl tear. He is now over 5 months from surgery and doing very well with just mild short lived lameness after heavy exercise that resolves with rest. WE had talked about having a stifle support to use when training and non working exercise. Working with a brace likely would not be practical. If he was a human who had this injury he would likey wear a brace when exercising. I would like opinions as to thoughts regarding a brace in this situation where he is still a young dog and obviously it is important that he continue to work as long as he can. And back to which brand of brace is preferred and would be most comfortable and would he tolerate it at high levels of exercise. Thanks -- Jeff Bowra DVM Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner Aldergrove Animal Hospital 26841 Fraser Highway Aldergrove, BC, Canada www.familypetdoc.com www.thespaw.ca No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1672 - Release Date: 15/09/2008 9:21 AM -- Jeff Bowra DVM Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner Aldergrove Animal Hospital 26841 Fraser Highway Aldergrove, BC, Canada www.familypetdoc.com www.thespaw.ca No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1672 - Release Date: 15/09/2008 9:21 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Because this is a police dog that chases bad guys there is a perception that a brace could indicate weakness in the field and draw attention to it. Have you made braces that police dogs have worn while working? THanks Jeff, If you are addressing the Lateral colateral I suggest 3 things for the best protection 1. There are both lateral and medial joints to the brace. This helps restrict the frontal plane motion that the lcl limits. 2. The brace be made of a rigid material. Fabric will not be strong enough to apply the corrective forces you may need. 3. The brace be custom. If you want the best results. You mentioned that it would not be practical to " work " with the brace. May I ask why? Hope this helps. Ben Ben Blecha, CPOwww.skyprosthetics.comwww.TriAmphant.com-- Those who can laugh without cause have either found the true meaning of happiness or have gone stark raving mad. ~Norm Papernick Stifle Brace We have been rehabbing a year old male GSD police dog. He had a CCL tear repaired by TPLO along with a lateral colateral tear repaired by bone anchors and nylon. It happened when he caught it going over a fence on a chase so it was a traumatic ccl tear. He is now over 5 months from surgery and doing very well with just mild short lived lameness after heavy exercise that resolves with rest. WE had talked about having a stifle support to use when training and non working exercise. Working with a brace likely would not be practical. If he was a human who had this injury he would likey wear a brace when exercising. I would like opinions as to thoughts regarding a brace in this situation where he is still a young dog and obviously it is important that he continue to work as long as he can. And back to which brand of brace is preferred and would be most comfortable and would he tolerate it at high levels of exercise. Thanks -- Jeff Bowra DVMCanine Rehabilitation PractitionerAldergrove Animal Hospital26841 Fraser HighwayAldergrove, BC, Canadawww.familypetdoc. com www.thespaw. ca No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. comVersion: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1672 - Release Date: 15/09/2008 9:21 AM -- Jeff Bowra DVMCanine Rehabilitation PractitionerAldergrove Animal Hospital26841 Fraser HighwayAldergrove, BC, Canadawww.familypetdoc. com www.thespaw. ca -- Jeff Bowra DVMCanine Rehabilitation Practitioner Aldergrove Animal Hospital26841 Fraser HighwayAldergrove, BC, Canadawww.familypetdoc.comwww.thespaw.ca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Hello, I have an older patient that needs a stifle brace, bilateral. I have some experience with A-Track Dynamic Brace, but not with OrthoPets stifle brace. Looks great. Does anyone have any experience with it? Looks that it should be easy to put on, easier for skin and a dog. Does it stay on well? Thank you for any comments. Jolanta Kandefer CCRA Viera East Veterinary Center 5405 Village Drive Rockledge, Fl. 32955 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.