Customer stories
OrthoPets stifle braces support dogs with cruciate ligament injuries (ACL/CCL tears), fractures, and other hind leg conditions. Our custom knee braces provide stability, pain relief, and a trusted alternative to surgery for dogs of all sizes.
Injury to the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) — also known as the ACL — is the most common orthopedic injury in dogs.This partial or complete ligament tear causes knee (stifle) instability, pain, and arthritis.
Treatment options include:
A stifle orthosis (dog knee brace) may be appropriate when surgery is not ideal due to:
OrthoPets’ custom stifle devices provide external stabilization to improve comfort, mobility, and quality of life.
Luxating patella (dislocating kneecap) is a developmental condition common in both large and small breed dogs.
Severity is graded from 1 (mild) to 4 (severe):
A stifle brace can help stabilize some Grade 1–2 luxating patellas by influencing tibial orientation and improving patellar tracking.
However, Grade 3–4 cases are surgical candidates, as the patella cannot be mechanically held in place with a brace.
If your dog has a torn meniscus, surgery (partial medial meniscectomy) may still be required.
This cartilage injury can occur at the time of ligament rupture or later due to joint instability.
All dogs with cruciate ligament injury will develop some degree of arthritis.
A proactive pain and mobility plan—including supplements, physical therapy, and weight management—can slow its progression and keep your pet comfortable for years.
While there are no formal studies directly comparing orthoses to surgery, OrthoPets provides nearly 1,000 stifle braces each year.
Our empirical experience and collaboration with university researchers continue to advance the science of veterinary orthotics.
A tarsal cuff is an additional support component added to the distal end of a stifle brace to:
All OrthoPets stifle devices are initially fabricated with a tarsal cuff to ensure optimal fit and limb control.
It can be modified later as needed depending on your pet’s movement and comfort.
Orthoses are built to last the lifetime of your pet but experience normal wear and tear.
A refurbishment is recommended every 12–24 months, depending on activity level.
A full refurbishment includes:
Your brace will look and function like new after refurbishment.
If only straps or hardware are needed, you can order replacements directly from OrthoPets or source compatible parts locally.
OrthoPets devices are custom fabricated based off of an impression of your patient’s/pet’s leg. We fabricate each orthotic brace or prosthetic device to support the therapeutic mobility goals.
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Please Note:
These leading veterinary organizations trust OrthoPets to provide cutting-edge orthotic and prosthetic solutions for animal rehabilitation.
