Custom Made Veterinary Orthotics
Bracing a weakened or compromised joint can be an effective way to provide mobility support.
The joint, ligament or tendon is supported from the outside of the body rather than the inside as is with orthopaedic surgery.
This may be a good option for some including older dogs that are not suitable for a long anaesthetic, will not tolerate the long recovery time after surgery or if there are cost constraints.
Prosthetics (artificial replacement for limb sections) may be considered in collaboration with veterinary surgeons.
Our braces are designed and manufactured by the V-OP experts at Orthopets America.
The Process.
The process first involves the casting of the limb (this may be done awake in calm dogs but can also be done with the aid of a calming tablet or a short anesthetic at a vet clinic).
The cast is then shipped to America, scanned and reconstructed in 3D then a custom brace is created and sent back to us.
The total turnaround time may take 6-8 weeks from casting to receiving the brace from the US.
Expedited shipping may be available at a cost.
Perfect fitting is not always achieved n the first rendition so we may require sending the brace back to the US for required adjustments.
Braces are expected to wear out over time and may need replacing/refurbishing every 1-2 years depending on how often they are used.
How Much Does
It Cost?
Costs can vary depending on the size of the brace and the area it is providing support. We offer a brace package that includes the following:
Casting appointment (extra cost if needing general anesthetic, calming medications provided complimentarily)
Brace manufacturing and shipping
Fitting appointment
2 x rehab appointments to learn how to move in the brace
As an example, a package cost for a stifle brace (device, shipping, and 4 associated home visits) may be around $3000AUD.
Please refer to the manufacturer's website for further information.
https://www.orthopets.com/
Could A Commerical Brace be Enough?
A commercial or 'off the shelf’ braces comes in various sizes to be fitted to various joints. These are made by several different companies and can also be useful for rehabilitation and support.
They are often much cheaper but also come with some drawbacks including the potential for hotspots/rub wounds if it is not fitted perfectly. It may also achieve less-than-perfect biomechanical adjustment of forces.
Commercial braces are perfect for short-term recovery, post-operative use to aim immobilisation or gentle support (e.g soft neoprene braces).
However, we recommend custom braces for long-term frequent use and for some specific conditions including cruciate ligament injury.
Please refer to our recommended products page for more information on commercial braces.