When your pet is limping due to discomfort caused by an injury or instability, it is easy to feel helpless. As the leaders in pet prosthetics, we understand the impact this has not only to the quality of life of your pet, but also to your family. You want your little guy or gal back to running, jumping, playing, and enjoying life. In many cases, this can be done with a dog tarsal brace.
What is a Tarsal Brace?
By definition, tarsal braces (Ankle/Hock) aid in support of the hock and prevention of hyperextension or collapse of the Achilles tendon. If you're not quite sure what this means, you are certainly not alone. Think of your dog's tarsal as his or her "back ankle." A dog's tarsus or tarsal joint is the equivalent of the human ankle joint. It is held together by four main ligaments that when damaged can lead to instability of the joint that may require surgery or stabilization through brace use. Tarsal braces allow for stabilization of the joint, while still allowing your dog to maintain full range of motion while preventing unwanted movement. This includes hyperextension.
Why is a Tarsal Brace Good for Your Dog?
One of the great things about tarsal braces is that they can be used for a variety of situations. Common injuries that result in the need for a tarsal brace include an Achilles Complex injury, post-op Arthrodesis, Medial and Lateral Collateral injury, Digital Flexor Tendon(s) injury, Hyper-extension instability, Neurological Positioning Control, as well as failed arthrodesis.
This means that tarsal (Ankle Hock) Braces can be used to:
#1 Support the knee after a complex Achilles injury
#2 Support post-operative arthrodesis
#3 Support after a medial/lateral collateral injury
#4 Support after digital flexor tendon(s) injuries
#5 Support hyper-extension instability
#6 Aid with neurological positioning control
#7 Support with failed arthrodesis
If you're wondering whether a tarsal brace is the right thing for your dog, please reach out to us and ask. We're happy to help! For our casting and fitting tutorials please visit our Youtube playlist.
Order Your Dog's Tarsal Brace From Bionic Pets
Our sole focus is on the design and support of our custom animal orthotics and prosthetics to restore your pet’s mobility. These braces are individually made based on the measurements you provide, so they're sure to be a perfect fit. They provide mild to moderate support of the hock joint. The material we use for our tarsal braces conforms to the limb which allows for an intimate fit. We do this to ensure no migration of the product and significantly reduce the risk of rub sores. Our typical tarsal brace includes a tether strap that allows for an adjustable/incremental range of motion mimicking the Achilles tendon.