About
Designed to Support a Torn ACL / CCL: the Most Common Dog Injury
A torn ACL / CCL requires rest, immobilization and often surgery for repair. The Cruciate Care Dog Knee Brace offers therapeutic support and stabilization before and after surgery as well as in cases when surgery is not necessary or feasible. Immobilization of the knee reduces pain and inflammation and supports mobility during healing. In 60% of cases, a dog with a torn ACL will later injure the other knee; using this brace to stabilize the injured knee while balancing the back and hip areas can help reduce further injury.
Soft, Highly Adjustable and Appropriate for Dogs of All Ages
The Cruciate Care Knee Brace is made up of four adjustable components to ensure a precise fit for your dog’s unique proportions. Our original butterfly-shaped design has 5 points of contact to prevent pressure on the lower back while evenly distributing your dog’s weight to take the pressure off the uninjured leg. By stabilizing and balancing the rear end of the dog, the brace can help prevent injury of the other knee or joints.
Designed to fit the natural angle of the knee, our brace prevents the knee from hyper-flexing while still allowing limited mobility. A flexible metal stay aids in keeping the knee in its natural position. Soft spacer mesh material is flexible and breathable for comfortable, cushioned support.
Available for One or Both knees:
The Cruciate Care Knee Brace is available for either the left or right knee. It is also available as a dual brace for both knees, however we typically only recommend bracing both knees if there are acute/recent tears in both. Our brace is unique in that when the injured knee is braced, it takes pressure off of the other leg. If your dog doesn’t have acute bilateral injuries, bracing both knees can make adapting to wearing a brace more challenging. For a dog with acute bilateral injuries, the limited movement can be beneficial.
Fits Most Medium, Large and Extra Large Dogs.
Indications for Use
- ACL / CCL tear (anterior or cranial cruciate ligament) of the knee
- Strain or sprain of the knee joint
- Back leg limping, instability or fatigue
- Pre- and post-operative support
- Arthritis
- Knee stabilization
Easy Storage
The Cruciate Care Knee Brace comes in a nylon mesh draw-string bag for easy and clean storage. Just throw the bag in the back of your car and head out for fun with your dog!
Easy to Use
- Can be worn in the water: swimming is a great rehab exercise
- No contact with stomach or groin: does not interfere with potty activities for male or female dogs
- Remove the brace: at night to allow the skin to breathe.
- Remove the brace: when crating your dog or leaving them unattended.
More about Ortho Dog
Our braces, the people who make them, and our commitment to helping dogs.
Sizing
For a Good Fit, Take Careful Measurements
The Ortho Dog Cruciate Care Knee Brace comes with a harness and 3 brace components in sizes Small, Medium, Medium-Wide, Large and Extra Large. Each size is adjustable to fit a range of measurements. To find your dog’s size, you will need to measure your dogs chest, height and thigh.
How Do I Measure?
See our detailed instructions and sizing chart below and watch this video tutorial to help ensure proper measurement.
Step-by-Step Measuring Instructions for the Cruciate Care Knee Brace
Measuring Tips:
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- Be sure to take all measurements while your dog is standing.
- Use a soft measuring tape for a snug- but not tight– measurement; you should be able to fit one finger under the tape.
- Enter your measurements in the purple form at the top of this page to get your dog’s brace and harness size.
- If you have a German Shepherd, read our specialized measurement instructions.
- Please note our harness color is determined by size.
- To determine which side is injured, stand behind your dog looking toward your dog’s head. Your Right leg and your dog’s Right leg will correspond.
Chest Measurement:
Take the Chest Measurement by wrapping the tape around the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs. The tape should be snug, with room to fit one finger underneath.
Height:
Take the Height Measurement from the base of the rear paw, straight up to the high point of the hip. Be careful to hold the tape straight up and not round the tape over the back. A rigid yardstick can also work for this measurement.
Thigh:
Take the Thigh Measurement by wrapping the tape around the thigh, halfway between the bend of the knee and the groin. The tape should be snug, with room to fit one finger underneath.
Sizing Charts for the Cruciate Care Knee Brace and Harness
Because every dog’s proportions are unique, some dogs may fall outside of these ranges. If that is the case, please check in with us at info@orthodog.com with measurements and photos and we will be happy to help determine the correct size.
How to Use
How to Put on the Cruciate Care Knee Brace
Download Cruciate Care Knee Brace Instructions
Watch this video to learn how to put the knee brace on. Then read more tips and tricks below.
Tips for Initial Brace fitting
- Before trying the brace on for the first time, create a quiet peaceful environment so your dog feels safe.
- Unpack the components and allow your pup to sniff and investigate the brace before applying it.
- We recommend taking your dog on a short, easy, leashed walk once the brace is secured.
- Time needed to acclimate to wearing a brace will vary depending on each dog’s personality; take things as slow and as easy as your pup needs.
- Positive reinforcement (treats, encouragement and praise) is essential in helping your dog adapt to wearing a knee or ACL brace.
Quick Tips for Fine-Tuning the Fit:
- Harness: Should be snug but not tight and fit like a collar around the neck
- Butterfly Back Brace: Should sit about 3 or 4 inches forward from the tail
- Knee Brace: The maroon Ortho Dog tag should be level with the bend of knee
- Anchor Brace: Should be positioned halfway between the knee and the groin
- Connecting Straps: Take up any slack once the brace is at the correct height
- Jam Lever Clamps: Make sure they are threaded and securely clamped down
The Cruciate Care Knee Brace and harness should always be removed at night so that the skin can breathe. Please also remove the Cruciate Care Knee Brace if you are crating your dog or leaving them unattended.
Free Fit Consultation
The knee brace application may require some adjustments if the brace does not return to the proper position when your dog moves from a seated or down position to standing. We’ll be happy to help with a Free Fit Consultation. Simply email a few photos of your dog standing in the brace (one from each side, straight on, and one from above) to info@orthodog.com.
Still Having Trouble?
We welcome any questions to support you and your pup with your Ortho Dog brace! If you are having issues with the brace fitting properly, please contact us and we’ll walk you through it, or exchange your product for a different size.
Product Info
Brace Materials
- Spacer mesh material – lightweight, dries easily, washable, molds to fit dog’s body
- Stainless steel hardware
- Nylon side-squeeze buckles
- Nylon wide-mouth slip locks
- Nylon low-profile strap keepers
- Heavy and lightweight nylon webbing – strength, flexibility, adjustability
- Commercial-grade nylon Velcro
- Metal stays – lateral stability
- Embroidered Ortho Dog emblem sewn on brace
- Nylon draw-string mesh bag for easy storage
Made in USA
Ortho Dog braces are manufactured in the United States, and are all made at our sew shop in Western North Carolina.
Veterinarian Approved!
Ortho Dog is grateful to work with veterinarians across the country and internationally to supply affordable bracing solutions as an alternative to surgery. All of our braces have been designed with deep input from the veterinary community.
More about the Cruciate Care Dog Knee Brace
About the dog knee brace and how it could help your dog with an ACL/CCL injury.
