Hock/Ankle
The hock or ankle brace can help with the healing or support of the hock joint due to injury, osteoarthritis, or neurological issues. The most common injury that require a hock brace is an achilles tendon injury. An achilles tendon injury results in an overly flexed or collapsed looking ankle joint. The opposite happens with hock hyperextension injuries that result in ligament laxity. The hock brace allows for healing of the tendon or ligaments by controlling your pet’s ankle range of motion. By limiting the flexion and/or extension motion at the ankle, the site of injury can then heal naturally. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage wears away and bone on bone rubbing happens resulting in pain and a limp. Osteoarthritis is common in older dogs. Degenerative Myelopathy is a neurological condition that results in paralysis of the lower extremity. The custom brace’s semi-rigid design provides pressure on the back of the hock and pressure along the front of the tibia. The custom brace design provides a total contact fit that reduces the tendencies for rubbing and skin irritations.
Often a custom brace, in coordination with rehabilitation, can help the natural healing process. The brace design allows for the brace to be worn while performing underwater physical therapy.
Top Dog custom braces are made from semi-rigid thermoplastic that allows your pet to get back to their active lifestyles, whether that is in a dry or wet environment. The semi-rigid material is durable and provides ample support for your pet’s rehabilitation needs. The braces come with removable interface that serves as padding and suspension aide for your pet’s comfort. The interface can be easily removed for cleaning and drying purposes.
Custom bracing is an effective alternative to surgery:
When the pet is unable to undergo surgery due to their age or other medical complications
For financial reasons
Would like to try a conservative treatment before performing surgery
Custom bracing can also be used in aiding post-op healing.