Hey guys, my name is Nikki, and I am the Lead Veterinary Technician with Posh Dog Knee Braces. Today let’s talk about Elbow Braces, and when your dog may need one. First of all, make sure you have a firm diagnosis from a Veterinarian that there is in fact an issue in the elbow. We suggest this prior to ordering any of our braces, just to be sure the issue is not something else. Neck pain can also show up as limping in the front leg, so make sure your veterinarian has gone over the entire body before diagnosing one of the following issues.
First issue, and the most common, is Osteochondrosis Dessecans, or OCD. You may hear OCD said a lot in reference to younger dogs that grew too fast. This can happen in the shoulder, knee, and hock/ankle, as well as the elbow. We see this In large breed puppies receiving too much energy/protein and calcium in the diet. Genetics, rapid growth, trauma and hormones may also be a factor. This can be treated with surgery to remove the cartilage, however, bracing can provide some pain relief and support in the meantime.
Second is elbow dysplasia. This is basically arthritis in the elbows, and can be painful. Bracing can alleviate some of the strain and pressure on the elbow, allowing the patient to use the sore leg again.
Another issue we see in the elbow is Degenerative Joint disease. This can also cause multiple joint issues, such as CCL tears and hip issues. Support of the joint with an elbow brace will definitely help in these cases.
Chronic Joint instability is another issue, where we need to stabilize the joint to prevent motion and pain. The more a joint moves abnormally, the more chance of early on set arthritis forming.
Elbow Luxation is another issue, although not as common. The brace in this case will help keep things in alignment, and alleviate some of the discomfort with this condition.
We have also had patients that had Tricepts Tendon Avulsion surgery, and braced them post op with lots of success. This is usually due to a trauma, but keeping the elbow stable and preventing movement can be key for healing.
Lastly, prevention of elbow hygromas. These are those swollen areas that can sometimes be filled with fluid on the back of a dog’s elbow. Usually due to laying on hard surfaces, like concrete, for long periods. Having protection on that elbow can really help.
Below is a recap of things the elbow brace can really help with, please let us know if you have any questions!
If you are interested or have questions about our Posh Dog Elbow Brace you can contact us via our contact form or visit our Facebook Page.
