Re: A-trac Dynamic Brace frustrations

[Guest guest]

I agree that the A-traC brace is difficult to use and does not provide enough stability. In fact I think that it is impossible to provide stability with fabric. That said I also find that it is difficult for physical therapists to get on the patient and therefore the owners have an even more difficult time! The best stifle brace so far is a custom brace from Ace Ortho Solutions. You can view their products and information at www.aceorthosolutions.com Amy Kramer, PT, DPT, CCRTCalifornia Animal RehabilitationAKramer@...P: F: www.CalAnimalRehab.com From: VetRehab [mailto:VetRehab ] On Behalf Of rtope.ecacSent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 4:11 PMTo: VetRehab Subject: A-trac Dynamic Brace frustrations Hi everyone,I just had my first experience with the A-trac Dynamic brace. I am not impressed. The application of the brace is somewhat difficult to understand. The dog that I am working with is an overwt, stumpy legged beagle with acute bilateral cruciate ruptures. I ordered him a brace for the left hind to support it while we do surgery on the right hind (the more painful of the 2). When he sits down the brace doesn't stay in place (and I have it tight!). It seems to hinder him more than help him. I called the company and they were quick to send me another brace for the right hind (instead of the cuff), however they won't take the braces back. They are not " special order " sizes, and I haven't even opened the right hind brace package yet. The braces have not even left my building.The dog is up and walking now, thank goodness. Just wanted to let everyone know to be SURE that you can use/will use the product before ordering!!!I wish they would be as easy to work with as Therapaw.Rob Tope, DVM, CCRT

[Guest guest]

Hello allWhen looking into an orthosis for non surgical cranial cruciate deficiency the key issue is restriction of abnormal movement (arthrokinematics) including stifle hyperextension, cranial tibial translation, and internal tibial rotation. Since quadrupeds really do stand and move differently than bipeds an orthosis for the dog must take this into account. The challenges in the dog are proper alignment of mechanical hinge with anatomic hinge, type of hinge (ideally a polycentric hinge), and limb shape (suspension of the device).The mechanical principle for an articulating orthosis is different than that required for a static instability say valgus due to medial collateral ligament injury. The latter requires application of a simple 3-point corrective system; this doesn't work if you want articulation because articulation decouples the system...no stability. The principle for the former is called force coupling and must rely on an intimate fit with the patient's limb otherwise the tibia will continue to move within the device. Force coupling means you have linked the crus to the distal shell of the device and the thigh to the proximal shell such that no movement of these limb segments can occur independently of the shell. Link those shell components with an

anatomically aligned polycentric hinge and now the shell dictates all movement about the polycentric axis. The trick is to engage the muscles of the limb to help create that intimate fit AND to create a caudally directed restrictive force against the proximal tibia. This is where rehab comes in.....you need those hamstrings, quads, and gastrocs! In my experience a custom device gives the best fit to create that intimate contact between limb and shell.Suspension must rely on the tarsus or the metatarsal heads depending on the angulation of the dog. Straight leg breeds such as the akita often require suspension via the met-heads while most other breeds do well with malleoli based suspension. Use of harness system to

accomplish suspension is not needed when the patient's anatomy is used to your advantage.Patsy

Patrice M. Mich, DVM, MS, DABVP,

DACVA

OrthoPets Medical Director and Owner

Specialist in Pain Management and Mobility

[Guest guest]

I second that Amy.Rob - They will also list you on their website once you buy one, I tried one several years ago and none since. Still, I am on their website - so be aware you may be listed as a provider now.

Tomlinson BVSc PhD CCRP, CVSMT

 

I agree that the A-traC brace is difficult to use and does not provide enough stability.  In fact I think that it is impossible to provide stability with fabric.  That said I also find that it is difficult for physical therapists to get on the patient and therefore the owners have an even more difficult time!

 The best stifle brace so far is a custom brace from Ace Ortho Solutions.  You can view their products and information at www.aceorthosolutions.com

 Amy Kramer, PT, DPT, CCRT

California Animal RehabilitationAKramer@...

P:   F:

www.CalAnimalRehab.com

  

From: VetRehab [mailto:VetRehab ] On Behalf Of rtope.ecac

Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 4:11 PMTo: VetRehab Subject: A-trac Dynamic Brace frustrations

   Hi everyone,I just had my first experience with the A-trac Dynamic brace. I am not impressed. The application of the brace is somewhat difficult to understand. The dog that I am working with is an overwt, stumpy legged beagle with acute bilateral cruciate ruptures. I ordered him a brace for the left hind to support it while we do surgery on the right hind (the more painful of the 2). When he sits down the brace doesn't stay in place (and I have it tight!). It seems to hinder him more than help him. I called the company and they were quick to send me another brace for the right hind (instead of the cuff), however they won't take the braces back. They are not " special order " sizes, and I haven't even opened the right hind brace package yet. The braces have not even left my building.

The dog is up and walking now, thank goodness. Just wanted to let everyone know to be SURE that you can use/will use the product before ordering!!!I wish they would be as easy to work with as Therapaw.Rob Tope, DVM, CCRT

--

Tomlinson BVSc MS PhD DACVS CCRP CVSMT

Twin Cities Animal Rehabilitation Clinic

12010 Riverwood Dr

Burnsville MN 55337www.tcrehab.com

#

fax # President, American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarianswww.rehabvets.org

[Guest guest]

,

They currently have me listed as a " recommended user " yet we have not used the

A-trac since 2006 (did not provide adequate stability). They somehow even have

my cell phone on file and have given it out to owners……I asked to have my name

removed and they said they will once they " revise their website " . I agree with

the other comments, hinged functional stifle braces have improved significantly

over the years thanks to the orthotists out there and that has been our

recommendation if the patient is a non-surgical candidate for whatever reason

(age, medical issues, financial constraints, etc).

Best,

Sherman

Sherman O. Canapp Jr., DVM, MS, CCRT

Diplomate ACVS

Diplomate ACVSMR

Chief of Staff

Veterinary Orthopedic &

Sports Medicine Group

10975 Guilford Road

polis Junction, MD 20701

Phone:

Fax:

http://www.vosm.com

>

> > **

> >

> >

> > I agree that the A-traC brace is difficult to use and does not provide

> > enough stability. In fact I think that it is impossible to provide

> > stability with fabric. That said I also find that it is difficult for

> > physical therapists to get on the patient and therefore the owners have an

> > even more difficult time!****

> >

> > ** **

> >

> > The best stifle brace so far is a custom brace from Ace Ortho Solutions.

> > You can view their products and information at www.aceorthosolutions.com**

> > **

> >

> > ** **

> >

> > Amy Kramer, PT, DPT, CCRT****

> >

> > California Animal Rehabilitation****

> >

> > AKramer@...****

> >

> > P: F: ****

> >

> > www.CalAnimalRehab.com****

> >

> > ****

> >

> > ****

> >

> > *From:* VetRehab [mailto:VetRehab ] *On

> > Behalf Of *rtope.ecac

> > *Sent:* Tuesday, October 25, 2011 4:11 PM

> > *To:* VetRehab

> > *Subject:* A-trac Dynamic Brace frustrations****

> >

> > ** **

> >

> > ****

> >

> > Hi everyone,

> > I just had my first experience with the A-trac Dynamic brace. I am not

> > impressed. The application of the brace is somewhat difficult to understand.

> > The dog that I am working with is an overwt, stumpy legged beagle with acute

> > bilateral cruciate ruptures. I ordered him a brace for the left hind to

> > support it while we do surgery on the right hind (the more painful of the

> > 2). When he sits down the brace doesn't stay in place (and I have it

> > tight!). It seems to hinder him more than help him. I called the company and

> > they were quick to send me another brace for the right hind (instead of the

> > cuff), however they won't take the braces back. They are not " special order "

> > sizes, and I haven't even opened the right hind brace package yet. The

> > braces have not even left my building.

> > The dog is up and walking now, thank goodness. Just wanted to let everyone

> > know to be SURE that you can use/will use the product before ordering!!!

> > I wish they would be as easy to work with as Therapaw.

> >

> > Rob Tope, DVM, CCRT****

> >

> > ****

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

> --

> Tomlinson BVSc MS PhD DACVS CCRP CVSMT

> Twin Cities Animal Rehabilitation Clinic

> 12010 Riverwood Dr

> Burnsville MN 55337

> www.tcrehab.com

>

> #

> fax #

>

> President, American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians

> www.rehabvets.org

>