Last Updated on November 2, 2022 by
Dogs wear CCL brace even if they do not have a CCL injury. The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is one of the four major ligaments in the knee joint. It connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone).Learn about why dogs wear CCL brace.
The CCL helps prevent excessive stirring in the knee joint and helps stabilize the knee during regular activity. A CCL injury is common among large-breed dogs and may occur when the dog’s knee buckles while walking or running.
Dogs with this type of injury often show pain and lameness in one or both legs, especially when climbing stairs or jumping down from furniture. In addition, they may limp or hold their leg out for extended periods after exercise or activity.
CCL braces are not just for CCL injuries but also a great way to help your dog walk properly and prevent injuries. Here are four reasons why dogs wear CCL braces:
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Post-operative support
A dog’s ligaments and tendons need time to heal and strengthen after surgery.
Many vets recommend using these devices as soon as possible after surgery to reduce swelling and inflammation around the joint and help speed up recovery time.
A CCL brace provides compression and support for the joint while the ligaments heal, making them less likely to become damaged or reinjured by overuse during recovery.
Limp related to medial patellar luxation
Dogs with medial patellar luxation, or MPL, limp more than other dogs. This is because the kneecap is not positioned correctly in the joint.
The kneecap sits on top of the femur bone and is connected to it by ligaments. When the ligaments are weak or damaged, they cannot hold the kneecap in place. As a result, it will move to one side or another and cause pain when walking on hard surfaces.
MPLs are very common in small breed dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers, Boston Terriers, Pugs, and Shih Tzus but can also be found in larger breeds such as German Shepherds and Great Danes.
Limp caused by arthritis
If your dog has arthritis, one sign may be that they limp on one or both legs. The CCL brace will help to stabilize the knee so that walking becomes more manageable for your dog.
The brace helps relieve some of the pain associated with arthritis, so your dog doesn’t have to compensate for discomfort when walking or running constantly.
Recovery from injury
If your dog recently injured their leg, it may not be able to put weight on that leg while healing occurs inside the joint capsule.
A CCL brace supports the joint while helping it heal faster so you can get back to normal activities sooner than expected.
Final Thoughts
Dogs wear CCL brace may appear to be an odd sight to some, but these braces are there for a reason.
Most pet owners have reasons why they choose a CCL brace for dogs.
Their pet has severe leg or hip problems, such as torn cartilage or a cruciate ligament. Or they’re concerned about arthritis and want to avoid joint issues down the road by wearing an extra cushion.
But whatever the reason is, the CCL brace can offer your pup some much-needed support.
Apart from this, if you are interested to know about Truth About Dogs then visit our Pets category.
