By: Amy Rosenthal, My Pet’s Brace Practitioner
The Patient: Bentley, an 86-pound 7-year-old Doberman with a CCL tear in his right hind leg
Case of Interest: Bentley is an example of a typical patient that would be seen at our clinic. Bentley is an 86-pound 7-year-old Doberman. Bentley presented with a partial tear of his right CCL. Surgery was performed on Bentley’s left CCL three years earlier.
Diagnostic History: In 2015, Bentley injured his left CCL and underwent TTA surgery to repair the ligament. When Bentley injured his right CCL three years later, his owner decided to go the conservative management route of a brace versus surgery due to heart issues that had developed after the original surgery.
Bentley presented to our clinic in July of 2018 for a stifle brace for his right hind leg to aid in the healing of the rupture of his CCL. An evaluation of Bentley’s body condition and lifestyle was performed, and it was determined that he would benefit from a right rear stifle brace. An accurate cast was taken off his leg from hip to hock. A brace was constructed using the cast. The brace was made with medical-grade plastic and veterinary urethane knee joints. A week after the evaluation Bentley was fitted with his brace and adjustments were made as needed.
Bentley was given a restricted exercise regimen, which included no running, dog, or ball playing. Stairs were limited to 1 to 4 and if more than 4 were required then some help in the form of a sling under the hips was suggested. Leashed walks or walks in a restricted area were encouraged but limited to 2 or 3 walks a day at around 10 to 15 minutes each walk. These walks could be increased as his healing progressed. This limited exercise regimen was only required for the initial 3 to 4 months to allow time for healing. Afterward, he was gradually allowed to do more strenuous activities such as stairs and running.
Follow-Ups: Bentley was seen at approximately three weeks, three months, and four-month post-delivery. At each check-up appointment, his weight-bearing and walking were assessed and it was noted that he was doing well. Adjustments and maintenance were performed at each appointment. Bentley’s owners discontinued the use of the brace after nine months. Bentley’s weight-bearing increased and muscle mass returned to normal. Bentley’s owners were also instructed to continue to use the brace if the dog will undergo unusual strenuous activity or will experience unstable footing such as during winter snow/ice or on the sand. Now he enjoys playtime with his doggie sibling brace-free.