Clean Run - February 2015 - 40

You may have seen the recent PBS special entitled "My Bionic Pet" and been awed by the amazing
devices used to improve mobility for veterinary patients. The science of veterinary orthotics and prosthetics (V-OP) is developing rapidly based on the same technology once provided for human beings alone. In
fact, there are now veterinarians who specialize in providing this new therapy along with certiﬁed veterinary
rehabilitation professionals with additional skill in teaching V-OP patients to walk, run, and perform again.
PHOTO BY LINDSEY MLADINICH, © ORTHOPETS

Bionic
Dogs

How the science and technology of veterinary
orthotic and prosthetic limbs are giving dogs a leg up
By Patrice M. Mich, DVM, MS, Diplomate ABVP, Diplomate ACVAA, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist

Athletic Injuries and the Role of Braces (Orthoses)
At the Denver-based OrthoPets Center for Animal Pain Management and Mobility Solutions, Dr. Tracie Grubb is one such
veterinarian. Her patients are primarily dogs, but may include
cats and even llamas, goats, sheep, and horses. Her patients are
diverse, and all are in need of assistive devices to regain an
active life. These devices are custom prosthetic limbs, wheels,
vests, and braces (orthoses). At this one-of-a-kind mobility clinic, the dogs in Dr. Grubb's care include elite athletes
to backyard companions. Some are injured in sport and some
have congenital deformities; others sustain traumatic injuries
or lose limb function due to joint diseases such as polyarthropathy or cancer. For this patient population, few options existed
until recently. Now V-OP devices can be used along with surgery, in place of surgery or when there is no surgical option.
Importantly, a licensed veterinarian must provide a thorough
examination, diagnosis, and explanation of all therapeutic options. If appropriate, referral to a V-OP specialist is the next
step... literally.
Many athletic dogs sustain injuries such as cranial cruciate
ligament trauma (ACL or CCL) of the stifle (knee), hyperextension of the carpus (wrist), and rupture of the Achilles tendon
(hock), among many others. Sometimes these painful injuries
require surgery; sometimes surgery and an orthosis (brace) are
required; sometimes surgery is not necessary, and sometimes
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surgery is simply not possible due to other health issues such
as the age of the dog, client preference, or financial constraints.
For all of these patients an orthosis may be a therapeutic option
and should be included in therapy discussions with the attending veterinary team.
Interestingly, the use of a custom orthosis in lieu of a traditional
cast is being used in some cases. Dr. Felix Duerr, staff surgeon
and director of Sports Medicine at Colorado State University
School of Veterinary Medicine explains, " V-OP has changed the
way we approach many cases from Achilles tendon to arthrodesis (fusion of the hock or carpus)." This concept is shared by
Judy Coates, MSPT, Med, CCRT, a canine rehabilitation therapist in Lebanon, New Hampshire, "Returning athletes to sport
requires a very precise transition from immobility to optimizing the four components of conditioning: strength, endurance,
balance, and flexibility. V-OP allows for this transition to occur
within safe limits. For example, with carpal hyperextension injury, an orthotic may prevent movement of the carpus into extension while allowing movement into flexion. As conditioning
improves, the orthotic can be modified to allow conditioning
to occur within a wider range of motion. Ultimately the dog is
conditioning through the full range of motion of the carpus preparing the tissues for return to sport." This sort of precision in
recovering human athletes has been available since the 1990's.
Fortunately, these types of dynamic devices are now available
and increasingly replacing rigid casts in our canine athletes.
Clean Run | February 15

Clean Run - February 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - February 2015