Our Novel Physiotherapeutic Resistance & Recoil Brace
Dynamic Support
Replicates natural tensor faciae latae, enabling ligamentous stability
Adaptive Symmetry
Distributes weight across wide sections, reducing stress on segmental DJD areas
Enhanced Mobility
Strengthens natural movement patterns and extends trot period
Spinal injury and degeneration are common in quadrupeds (e.g. canines or equines) due to a variety of causes such as genetics, erratic activities, diseases, or accidents.
Degeneration and injury can cause pain, stiffness, muscle atrophy, and decreased mobility; as a result, these are markers of poor health outcomes and a decreased quality of life. Depending upon activities of daily living, increased intervertebral disc degenerative diseases (IVDD - infiltration of the disc material by bone), “were most common in chondrodysplastic breeds (CD), especially in Dachshunds, and were 1.5 times more common in male than female canines."
"Case fatality rates were found to be higher than previously suggested, with rates of 34% in the overall population, around 20% in most CD breeds, and over 50% in the non-CD breeds at highest risk such as the Doberman and the German Shepherd Dog.” A breed’s mortality also becomes fundamentally dependent upon spinal and hip structural integrity. Current therapies, such as corticosteroid injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and/or surgical intervention have had limited effectiveness. In addition, corticosteroid injections and NSAIDs are not intended for long term use.
Now, Librela, for arthritis (repackaged Celebrex) is being scrutinized by the FDA for negative neurological effects and early death.
So, where do we go from here? While we wait for the next class of geroscience drugs using rapamycin to reverse the effects of aging - not without side effects of course, let's look at what's already out there.
Current Bracing Options
Antiquated bracing systems are typically unavailable through veterinary professionals; they are more than correct to NOT recommend them as they contribute to muscle wasting. They are available publicly online, and are typically rigid, with the goal of reducing mobility and to create stability to an injured area. Rigid support devices are used to replace a missing limb or support a lame limb, which completely negates the normal movement of a quadruped. The single leg brace unbalances the quadruped's normal gait and puts the other limbs at risk.
Soft devices or devices that do not have a spine or rigid stability system in them are starting to become more commonplace and until now still lacked a physiotherapeutic element. The benefits of bracing systems in an orthopedic sense are most notable for the middle age population canines who are most susceptible to musculoskeletal injury from age 6 +, according to Bergknut et al’s "Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in Canines," review of insurance archival evidence.
Exsisting Solutions
Destructive Limitations
The Gap In The Research
There is a gap in the literature here. Our researchers are studying what can be implemented between; onset of an injury, initial lameness, the initial diagnosis of degeneration or arthritis that requires dynamic support, and the possibility of avoiding eventual surgery or slowing a progressive condition that requires hard devices and or wheeled support. Maintaining natural quadruped ambulation by a canine is a key factor in the longevity and quality of life.
In humans, it is well established that bracing helps in healing, decreases re-injury, helps control biomechanical pain, supports weakened muscles, and promotes stable improved posture. Active rehabilitation post acute injury is vital to restoring normal biomechanics, and there is strong evidence that intervening earlier with neuromuscular re-education yeilds quicker and more beneficial results. Yet little is known about the benefit of bracing in quadruped animals. Current traditional braces are often overused and result in the direct opposite effect desired, such as muscle strengthening. This does not happen with static neoprene or hinged bracing. These cheap short term bracing systems on the market do nothing for muscle maintenance or strengthening, key elements to succcessful long term rehabilitation, post surgical or not. We are particularly interested in understanding the benefit of our dynamic supportive sleeves for quadrupeds with degenerative orthopedic diseases or elderly deconditioned canines, in that active rehabilitation increases overall longevity.
Innovative Physiotherapeutic Resistence & Recoil Brace
Dynamic Support
Replicates natural tensor faciae latae musculature support
Adaptive Symmetry
Distributes weight across sacral base, reducing stress on DJD areas
Enhanced Mobility
Supports natural movement patterns and extends trot period
Our device allows for light active whole-body support to be applied to varying parts of the body as needed. Light support is applied only in the trunk region via the vest, much like an anxiety vest. The hind legs are served by a moderate support when the sleeve is worn over the quadruped's hind legs. The leg is supported as well as exercised by the resistance and recoil motion of the sleeve. This propels the canine forward with minimal effort.
The intersection of the vest to the hindquarter is the area of most therapeutic benefit, anchoring the weak leg or legs to the spine and allowing them to function with an extra layer of muscle. The "vest" which is made of a very light compressive material with ventral venting, for a more cooling support, is used to assist in placement and retention of the supportive material for the hind legs.
In a 17-year-old Bischpoo, you can see changes in Gait Symmetry Indices in the line graph. Some parameters switch from right side heavy without brace to left side heavy with brace. You can see a reversal of which side had the higher peak vertical force for the left and right hind legs. This is where the dog has spinal learning with movement towards center balancing and symmetry.
Gait cycles per minute is also down, measured and is related to the brace wear, since all animals take an adjustment period with first time wear. Slow gaits can also affect peak force values and have them report slower then faster gait.
Looking at the force/time curves, you can see good symmetry in the brace condition. You can also see that the peak of these force curves tend to be later than in the non-brace conditions and in the right front paw force/time curve even lines up better with the left front paw strike in the braced condition.
Each animal in our preliminary study had gait aberations that would eventually lead to lameness in one form or another.
Our support devices are helpful for canines (and other pets - we’ve tried our devices on goats, pigs, mini cows and wolves) suffering from osteoarthritis, back pain, hip and discal issues, congenital vertebral anomalies, thoracic and extremity problems such as osteochondritis dessecans, hypertrophic osteodystrophy and degenerative myelopathy, panosteitis, and others. Our physiotherapeutic braces are also be helpful in pathologies involving the common calcaneal tendon, Achilles tendon, or gastrocnemius, or luxations, or subluxations when surgery is not indicated, possible, or to support the healing process when a successful surgery has occurred. We expect these devices to be used as home care while the pet is under the care of a rehabilitative veterinarian.
Common Clinical Applications
Common Conditions Treated
Additional Benefits
Studies Cited
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in canines: https://pub.epsilon.slu.se/2427/1/bergknut_n_110113.pdf
Incidence of intervertebral disk degeneration-related diseases and associated mortality rates in canines Article in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · June 2012 DOI: 10.2460/javma.240.11.1300 · Source: PubMed
Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs: https://www.ethosvet.com/blog-post/degenerative-myelopathy/
Kinematic gait analysis in canines with hip dysplasia. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 1996 Jul;57(7):966-971.
Support Device for Quadrupeds, Patent No. 11,771,540
Smith GK, Lawler DF, Beiry DN, et al. Chronology of hip dysplasia development in a cohort of 48 Labrador retrievers followed for life.Vet Surg. 2012;41(1):20-33. doi:10.1111/j.1532-950X.2011.00935.x
Kealy RD, Lawler DF, Ballam JM, et al. Evaluation of the effect of limited food consumption on radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in dogs. JAm Vet Med Assoc. 2000;217(11):1678-1680. doi:10.2460/javma.2000.217.1678
Marshall WG, Hazewinkel HA, Mullen D, De Meyer G, Baert K, Carmichael S. The effect of weight loss on lameness in obese dogs with osteoarthritis.Vet Res Commun. 2010;34(3):241-253. doi:10.1007/s11259-010-9348-7
Impellizeri JA, Tetrick MA, Muir P. Effect of weight reduction on clinical signs of lameness in dogs with hip osteoarthritis.J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000;216(7):1089-1091. doi:10.2460/javma.2000.216.1089
Runhaar J, Luijsterburg P, Dekker J, Bierma-Zeinstra SM. Identifying potential working mechanisms behind the positive effects of exercise therapy on pain and function in osteoarthritis; a systematic review.Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2015;23(7);1071-1082. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2014.12.027
Lima LV, Abner TSS, Sluka KA. Does exercise increase or decrease pain? Central mechanisms underlying these two phenomena.J Physiol. 2017;595(13):4141-4150. doi:10.1113/JP273355
Yu WY, Yang QH, Wang XQ. The management of exercise for pain management in Parkinson’s disease.Front Mol Neurosci. 2022;15:1039302. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2022.1039302
Kito T, Teranishi T, Nishii K, Sakai K, Matsubara M, Yamada K. Effectiveness of exercise-induced cytokines in alleviating arthritis symptoms in arthritis model mice.Okajimas Folia Anat Jpn. 2016;93(3):81-88. doi:10.2535/ofaj.93.81
Frye CW, Shmalberg JW, Wakshlag JJ. Obesity, exercise and orthopedic disease.Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2016;46(5):831-841. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2016.04.006
Rychel JK. Diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis.Top Companion Anim Med. 2010;25(1):20-25. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2009.10.005
Rychel JK. Diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis.Top Companion Anim Med. 2010;25(1):20-25. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2009.10.005
Chauvet A, Laclair J, Elliott DA, German AJ. Incorporation of exercise, using an underwater treadmill, and active client education into a weight management program for obese dogs.Can Vet J. 2011;52(5):491-496.
Mlacnik E, Bockstahler BA, Müller M, Tetrick MA, Nap RC, Zentek J. Effects of caloric restriction and a moderate or intense physiotherapy program for treatment of lameness in overweight dogs with osteoarthritis.J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006;229(11):1756-1760. doi:10.2460/javma.229.11.1756
Vitger AD, Stallknecht BM, Nielsen DH, Bjornvad CR. Integration of a physical training program in a weight loss plan for overweight pet dogs.J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2016;248(2):174-182. doi:10.2460/javma.248.2.174
Bannuru RR, Osani MC, Vaysbrot EE, et al. OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis.Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2019:27(11):1578-1589.
Preston T, Wills AP. A single hydrotherapy session increases range of motion and stride length in Labrador retrievers diagnosed with elbow dysplasia.Vet J. 2018;234:105-110. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.02.013
Nganvongpanit K, Tanvisut S, Yano T, Kongtawelert P. Effect of swimming on clinical functional parameters and serum biomarkers in healthy and osteoarthritic dogs.ISRN Vet Sci. 2014;2014:459809. doi:10.1155/2014/459809
Bergh, A., Gómez Álvarez, C.B., Rhodin, M. et al. Head and pelvic vertical displacement in dogs with induced swinging limb lameness: an experimental study. Acta Vet Scand60, 81 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-018-0435-z https://actavetscand.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13028-018-0435-z