The most common injury when pet owners and veterinarians consider using a dog knee brace (stifle orthosis) is for a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). This ligament is similar to the human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The canine cranial cruciate ligament is one of four ligaments that join the tibia and femur together to create a stable dog knee joint (stifle joint).
The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is responsible for stabilizing the tibia from abnormally thrusting forward and away from the femur. This is called “cranial tibial thrust.” Cranial tibial thrust results when the CCL presents with a partial tear or is completely torn. When your pet is standing, there is stifle joint (dog knee) compression force is created and causes the tibia to thrust forward. This forward (Cranial) tibial thrust results from the slope of the tibia enabling the femur to slide down the back of the tibia while the tibia slides forward from under the femur.
Your veterinarian is able to preform two “hands on” tests to reveal instability of your dog’s knee (stifle joint) in addition to radiographs. One test is to replicate stifle joint compression similar to weight bearing. This test is called the compression test. If the result of stifle joint compression forces the tibia to slide forward from under the femur (cranial thrust), the test is positive and a CCL tear or CCL rupture is suspected. The other test is the cranial drawer test. This test isolates the CCL and eliminates joint compression. Your veterinarian holds the upper bone (femur) static and pulls the lower bone (tibia) forward and way from the femur. This motion is just like pulling a drawer open. If the tibia can be pulled forward (cranial drawer), then the test is positive. Your veterinarian will also be exploring and evaluating the “feel” of the end range of this abnormal motion. This feel will help indicate the degree of injury and is helpful in determining treatment options.
OrthoPets has conducted significant research and has published a peer reviewed scientific paper describing the successful use and outcome of an OrthoPets Stifle Orthosis (dog knee brace). Our dog knee brace (stifle orthosis) for the canine ACL tear provides the necessary biomechanical force coupling to replicate stifle joint stability while allowing your pet to enjoying normal activities and stifle (knee) joint range of motion. To learn more about our dog knee brace, take a look at our Stifle Orthosis page to view patients enjoying life with their OrthoPets dog knee brace. Talk to your veterinarian about an OrthoPets dog knee brace. OrthoPets has US Partner Clinics and worldwide Distributors to help you and your pet on your journey to restored comfort and mobility. We are here to support your dog’s knee injury!
