If you’re interested in a custom knee brace for your pet – visit our Dog Knee Brace page and fill out the information request form.

In order to be properly fitted for a stifle device, you will need to have your pet’s veterinarian fill out a short form. The form can be viewed as a pdf at the following link – Dog Knee Injury Device Form

Below are some videos showing the success OrthoPets patients have had with their orthotic devices.

OrthoPets is a post from: Dog Knee Injury

Want to know what the best dog knee brace available is?

Don’t be shy… Post on our NEW Dog Knee Injury Forum!

In response to the high volume of comments a lot of the post have been getting, I’ve opened up the forums as a way for dog owners to connect and discuss their dog’s orthopedic issues with one another.

How to post on the Dog Knee Injury Forum:

1) You must register for a user name to post on the forum.

2) After you’ve registered and retrieved your password from your email, log in (I recommend changing the password to something you’ll remember) and start posting!

3) Keep the comments on topic, and be nice. If anyone encounters any issues on the forum please post in the comments on this page/use the contact form, and I will look into it.

CCL Repair Forum for Dogs is a post from: Dog Knee Injury

Accidents happen, and this is certainly the case in post operative dogs.  Sometimes, despite our best efforts and watchful eye, dogs can remove their surgical staples.  Unless your dog has done this within a few days of returning home from surgery, or you notice pus, excessive bleeding, or a large, open wound where the staple is missing, your dog should be just fine.  If either case is true in your situation, contact your veterinarian for assistance.

The best thing to do if your dog is able to get his/her staples out is to contact your veterinarian and check to see what their protocol is for an accidental staple removal.  Again, be sure to let them know if you notice and sort of infection around the surgical site.  Most likely your veterinarian will just have you place a butterfly bandage or steri strip over the places where staple(s) were removed, and to check your dog’s feces to be sure the staple(s) have passed.  If at all possible, it is advisable to have your dog eat some bread or soft cheese after ingestion so the soft food binds to the staple to allow for easy passing through the digestive tract.

My Dog Swallowed a Staple is a post from: Dog Knee Injury

Many dogs can not tolerate the large, conical, Elizabethan Collars that most veterinary offices provide following canine surgery. If you are dealing with a dog that is able to get their e-collar off, refuses to lay down with the e collar on, is marking up the furniture with the collar, unable to eat, sleep, or rest with the collar in place, or is acting in an aggressive manner toward the ecollar, there are options available.

The ProCollar has an inflatable inner bladder made of a plastic vinyl that is inflated through a two-way air valve much like a beach ball. When the Pro Collar is inflated, the size and thickness of the ProCollar function as a soft deterrent to biting. The inner bladder is protected by a pliable plastic outer jacket lined with a durable canvas material to resist bites and scratches. While wearing the ProCollar, pets are able to eat, sleep and play at ease while staying protected. The ProCollar is held in place by inserting the pet’s everyday collar through the ProCollar’s three inner rings, and the velcro strap should be placed at the back of the neck and then adjusted for a perfect fit.

There is also a soft E-Collar on the market, which simply looks like a life preserver worn around your pet’s neck. The Soft-E-Collar is a lightweight foam pillow covered with a durable, attractive vinyl. It is an effective alternative to the plastic elizabethan collar (“E Collar”), and is easily cleaned and stain resistant. The pillow passes over the pet’s head and ties around the neck with a drawstring. The Soft-E will prevent a dog or cat from licking or biting most parts of his body.

Another alternative to an E-Collar is PetSleeves Rx. Pet Sleeves are disposable pet wear that are perfectly suited to the post operative canine, made from human-quality surgical gown material. PetSleeves Rx provides a wide range of sizes and fits, allowing owners to avoid using their own shirts, pants, towels, or having their pet wear an uncomfortable collar. This product is not commercially available and must be ordered by your veterinarian, so it would be wise to contact them as far as possible in advance to surgery to make sure you have the PetSleeves available.

Alternatives to an E-Collar is a post from: Dog Knee Injury

The first few months following a CCL repair surgery can be trying for both you and your dog. It is important during this time to provide your dog with adequate stimulation to prevent them from falling into some of the naughty behaviors exhibited by bored dogs. So instead of feeling guilty that you have to keep your best buddy crated or in a pen, find games, activities, and toys you can enjoy while your dog is on the road to recovery. You will want to choose items that do not require much movement, but will provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment. Here are a few of my favorite toys and treats for a dog recovering from surgery:

• Kongs - Even the heartiest of chewers will be hard pressed to destroy this synthetic, conical-shaped toy. The shape of the Kong is perfect for prolonged chewing, and the ability to hide a treat inside is an added bonus for the persistent dog. I generally put peanut butter inside of the Kong, as I have found it is much harder (and fun) for my dogs to try to reach, but you can use practically anything that slides into the opening on the bottom of the toy – Milkbones work well too. Or if you want to go for the ultimate in Kong treats, place a few pieces of cheese inside the Kong and cover the openings with peanut butter, this should keep your canine occupied for hours!
• Marrow Bones – Marrow bones are a raw food, so be sure your dog has a healthy immune system before introducing this treat. Most dogs handle raw marrow bones just fine. Note that I am referring to knuckle or femur bones, where the dog will eat the attached cartilage, meat and marrow but not the actual bone. Look for good-sized bones (too big to fit entirely inside your dog’s mouth), and the more cartilage and meat attached the better. Cut off any large chunks of fat. If your dog hasn’t had marrow bones before, give him one under supervision, and watch for any stomach upset that might follow — the marrow is very rich and your dog may need time to adjust to it. You can find marrow bones at your local grocery (often labeled as “soup bones”) or at a butcher shop. Many butchers will cut the bones to any size you like — sometimes the ones they put out are too small for large breed dogs.



• Bully Sticks – As long as you are able to get past the fact that these meat sticks are made from bull penis, your dog will be occupied for hours trying to consume this jerky-like treat. Bully sticks are a bit on the expensive side, but you can buy them in bulk and save a little money at most animal wholesale stores. It usually takes my heavy chewers about an hour or so to get through an entire stick, and it is really money well spent for a dog that is being cooped up in the house to recover from an operation.
• Knotty Ball – This is a rope toy that is comprised of a bunch of knots forming a ball. While this toy actually tended to get our dog a little too excited as he thought we were going to start playing a rousing game of tug-of-war or fetch, I thought I would mention it for those dogs that are not necessarily interested in chasing balls around or pulling on ropes. This ball, whether engaging in rough play or just letting your dog have its way with it, lasts a long time, and also helps to keep your dog’s teeth clean while gnawing. Use at your own discretion, this one might not be perfect for every dog.

Best Toys and Treats for a Post Operative Dog is a post from: Dog Knee Injury

If your dog does not have a bowel movement on the 5th day of being home, a stool softener such as metamucil can be fed with the ok from your veterinarian. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any over the counter constipation products, as they may interact with medications they are currently taking for pain or to fight infection. The typical dose of metamucil is 1 tsp per 25 kg mixed in with each meal (this will need to be canned dog food or a “wet” meal); feed immediately after mixing, as the metamucil will gel the food and may make it less palatable.

If you have any concerns with the regularity of your dog following cranial cruciate repair surgery contact your veterinarian before any self remedy.

When Can I Expect My Dog to Have a Bowel Movement After CCL Surgery? is a post from: Dog Knee Injury

Check the incision for signs of infection daily which include swelling, pain, discharge and redness. This is obviously not possible if your dog came home with a modified Robert Jones (or similar) bandage, but the same rule applies – check the area around the cast each day, making sure to check for any swelling, discoloration or infection. When checking the surgical site, a cold compress can be applied to the stifle three times daily, 10 minutes per session for the first 2 days to help reduce the swelling. Starting on the third day after surgery, a warm compress can be applied to the stifle in order to soften the connective tissues. Your veterinarian will instruct you as to whether to also pursue range of motion exercises or physical therapy at this time – this will depend on which procedure your dog underwent.

Just remember to listen to your dog. They will make you aware of their comfort level, and let you know when they are ready to start using the injured limb more. No one is perfect, and we have all had those “oops” moments when our dog tried to do too much too soon, but just stay positive. Your dog has a keen sense of what you are thinking and feeling, and this ultimately will have an effect on their recovery.

What to Expect After CCL Surgery is a post from: Dog Knee Injury

The osteotomy will take 6 to 8 weeks to heal, during which time your pet will need to be kept relatively quiet and only allowed outside on a leash. Your dog will most likely start to feel that they are completely healed within a week of the TTA, but it is important to not let them to do too much too soon as they risk damage, not only to the implant, but a CCL tear in the opposite knee. Many veterinarians will advise pet owners to keep their dogs sedated during this recovery process to assure they remain quiet and only go outdoors to relieve themselves.

All dogs with CCL injuries will go on to develop some level of arthritis. It is a good idea to have your dog’s knees x-rayed during your yearly veterinary visits to examine the presence of arthritis and determine what type of treatment plan would be best for your pet to make them the most comfortable.

TTA Repair Postop Recovery is a post from: Dog Knee Injury

For the next two weeks (which is the duration of time the bandage will remain on if you dog was fitted with one) your dog will not be putting much weight on the injured limb. They may hold the leg up if they do not have the modified Robert Jones bandage in place, while others will exhibit some toe-touching behavior. After the sutures are removed, at about the 2 week mark, you veterinarian will determine the course of therapy for your dog to proceed with. In many cases your vet will recommend exercise restriction until 4 to 8 weeks, at which point short, 2 to 5 minute walks, can be reintroduced to your pet.

After 4 to 6 months your dog will be able to return to normal activities without any restriction. The leader line placed in the knee will break at 2 to 12 months post-op, and your dog’s scar tissue will support the knee on its own. Restriction of movement is absolutely key for the successful healing in patients undergoing extra-capsular imbrication repair surgery. Rest will help to encourage fibrous tissue formation and also prevent the premature breakage of the monofilament suture stabilizing the joint during the healing process.

All dogs with CCL injuries will go on to develop some level of arthritis. It is a good idea to have your dog’s knees x-rayed during your yearly veterinary visits to examine the presence of arthritis and determine what type of treatment plan would be best for your pet to make them the most comfortable.

Extracapsular Repair Postop Recovery is a post from: Dog Knee Injury

Around 6 to 8 weeks your veterinarian may want to take x-rays of your canine to be sure that the leg is healing properly. The radiographs taken during this period should show healing full, or almost complete healing at the osteotomy site. All lameness should disappear from your dog by the 10 week mark, although some intermittent lameness is to be expected when first reintroducing exercise.

Between 4 to 6 months post-op most restrictions of exercise can be lifted. If your pet is a hunting or agility canine they will need to wait until at least 6 months post op to return to their pre-injury activities. Unrestrained activity prior to this period can lead to injuries in the opposite CCL, spraining of the soft tissues or fractures around the surgical site.

Follow up care of the TPLO dog should include yearly rechecks with a veterinarian to evaluate the degree of arthritis in the knee. While the TPLO procedure will help to slow the progression of arthritis in the joint, no surgical procedure can ever completely rid your dog of this degenerative condition. There are a number of veterinary treatments available for dogs with arthritic tissue, and often the best treatment is to catch the disease in its early stages and take action.

TPLO Postop Recovery is a post from: Dog Knee Injury