Pet Orthopedics

Question 1

T/F Pet orthotics and prosthetics have been around a long time, dating back to civil war.

Answer 1

F- Only on the market for about 20 years and it all started with a small group of vets, PTS and prosthetics and engineers.

Question 2

The following describes a (soft brace/ prosthetics/ prosthesis)
- Gives mild-moderate support
- Can be off the shelf or custom from measurements
- Can add thermoplastic to help increase support

Answer 2

Soft brace- the company dog legs is an example of a soft brace company

Question 3

The following describes a (soft brace/ prosthetics/ prosthesis)
- the since of creating artificial body parts

Answer 3

Prosthetics

Question 4

The following describes a (soft brace/ prosthetics/ prosthesis)
- The device that replaces a missing limb

Answer 4

Prosthesis

Question 5

When a client of yours has a god with multiple prosthesis, what should you do to help them ensure they’re putting the correct branch on the corresponding limb

Answer 5

Label the branch- longer straps/paint the ends to help ID the parts that the client will be adjusting.

Question 6

T/F Despite the fact that we know dogs can do well tripods, compensatory injuries are common

Answer 6

T- more OA on the limbs that are overloaded/compensating

Question 7

A puppy had to have its foot amputated following a vehicular trauma incident, which of the following would be the best timeframe to introduce the dog to a prosthesis?
1) right away- aka as a puppy
2) once the dog has finished puberty/growing
3) the dog never needs a prosthesis if its able to get around ok
4) Once the dog a minimum of 4 yrs old

Answer 7

Right away- it is best to start a dog out young/early so they learn to use the prosthesis. Try to see them on a regular basis so you can adjust the size as they grow

Question 8

What type of dog was the Wiggleless back brace created for?

Answer 8

Weenies with IVDD pain- these are good for any kind of degenerative myelopathy or IVDD. The brace consist of a stay piece along the back with straps that wrap around the abdomen. The thought behind the brace is that wrapping the abdomen creates a compressive force that distracts vertebrae and helps increase proprioception.

Question 9

The following patient would/would not be a candidate for a WiggleLess back brace:
- a dog that jumped off the back deck las night and presents with hind leg paraplegia. In acute pain

Answer 9

Would not
This is a neuro/trauma case, not a candidate for the brace; a brace candidate would be a dog taht is walking and just uncomfortable with minimal kyphosis

Question 10

The following patient would/would not be a candidate for a WiggleLess back brace:
A dog with non-painful degenerative myelopathy. The dog has a lot of side to side sway in the back end when walking and tends to over do things when it steps (proprioceptive deficits)

Answer 10

Would

Question 11

What is the definition of an orthotics/brace

Answer 11

Supports an injured or weak limb, can be static or dynamic in its control of a body segment

Question 12

Most stifle braces are considered (static/dynamic)

Answer 12

Dynamic-
Dynamic braces have hinges that can move with the natural direction of the joint they cross

Question 13

A carpal brace placed for immobilization would be considered a (static/dynamic)

Answer 13

Static (no hinges)

Question 14

T/F the following are considered goals when creating a custom orthotic
1) rest an injured limb
2) protect the limb from further damage
3) return to function
4) assist, prevent, or correct movement
5) bear the weight sooner
6) decrease muscle mass loss
7) Use in place of multiple splints

Answer 14

True

Question 15

T/F the most common time to use an orthotic is for stability or support for a failed arthrodesis

Answer 15

True- plate breaks, screws loosen etc

Question 16

To be an effective orthotic, it must _____ the forces that are creating the problem

Answer 16

Counteract- ex stifle brace needs to counteract the forces of cranial drawer; behind the condyles of the femur and in front of the tibial crest

Question 17

When creating a brace/orthotic, how do we lessen the force applied over the joint to help reduce pain/pressure sores?

Answer 17

Need to create a longer lever by spreading the forces over a wider space (ie a brace that is placed to stabilize the stifle should go all the way down to the ankle

Question 18

When recording a video of a dog’s gait to submit to an orthotic company what angles should you get

Answer 18

Take the video at ground level from the front, side and rear to give them a better idea of the shape of the leg/dog that the brace is for (in addition to the cast that you are sending)

Question 19

Some animals are just too small for a brace, below ____ lbs was the cut off mentioned

Answer 19

8 lbs

Question 20

T/F once a dog finishes rehabbing an injury with the support of a brace they never need to wear it again

Answer 20

F- can use the brace as a sport brace once treatment finishes on days with a lot of activity for additional support

Question 21

Describe the 3 point system regarding the biomechanics of a tarsal orthotic

Answer 21

The three point system refers to three areas of corrective force to counteract care as of collapse. In tarsal orthotic, force needs to be applied to the tibia, back of the metatarsals, and through the paw (on the ground).
Ground force supports the foot, when the dog steps down the force runs up through the brace and pushes back through the tibia which helps hold the limb in place

Question 22

If a brace is too large and doesn’t fit properly, it is likely to cause _____

Answer 22

Sores

Question 23

When you first place a brace on a dog, it is likely that they will ____ because you’re asking them to start using muscles they haven’t used in a while

Answer 23

Kick

Question 24

A properly fitted casting impression helps eliminate what three common problems with poorly fitted braces?

Answer 24

1) discomfort
2) Sores
3) Poor use

Question 25

When creating a casting impression of the hind limb for a stifle brace, how far should the cast go and what position should the dog be in?

Answer 25

The cast should come down to the ankle and go above the patella, the dog should be in normal standing position (dog will be laying in lateral recumbent when you place the cast on)

Question 26

A new client comes to your clinic with a dog she just rescued that had a coxofemoral disarticulation done 2 months ago. The dog has fully healed and the O is asking about getting a casting done to send off to an orthotic company to have a prosthetic made. What is your recommendation?

Answer 26

You can’t make a cast of a limb that’s not there, a minimum of 1/3 to 1/2 of the tibia must remain in order to create a prosthesis so for most companies she wouldn’t be able to have one done.
If its a front limb 1/3 to 1/2 of radius needs to be remaining

Question 27

If you are considering creating a prosthesis for a client’s pet after an amputation, when is the best time to contact the orthotic company?

Answer 27

BEFORE the surgery- they will help guide the surgery decisions regarding how much of the limb to take

Question 28

Briefly describe the normal clinic appt protocol for a patient getting a cast/fitting/follow up for a prosthesis

Answer 28

1) casting (30 min should be ASAP post injury)
2) fitting (30 min, 2-3 weeks later)
3) follow up (15-30 min 1-2 weeks later)
Should combine with PT and other rehab modalities

Question 29

What are some things you need to do to help manage a clients expectations when they are asking about getting a prosthesis made for their pet?

Answer 29

1) orthotic needs to be used daily (8-12 hours a day/off during the night)
2) they are expensive
3) 15% have fitting issues
4) 10% fail

Question 30

Checking the fit of a brace or orthotic DAILY can help prevent the development of ____

Answer 30

Sores/ open wounds (if there is hair loss, the brace MUST be adjusted)

Question 31

How often should a brace come off every few hours if its is being worn all day

Answer 31

10-15 min every few hours

Question 32

When you first introduce a pet to an orthotic/brace how long should the pet wear the brace

Answer 32

On day one the pet wears it for an hours
Day 2- 2 hours
Etc. increase until the dog is wearing the brace for the appropriate amount of time 8-12 hours/day off at night

Question 33

How long is a long term stifle brace typically worn for?

Answer 33

6 Months, after that some pets can wean off and use the brace only for intermittent lameness/ as a sports brace

Question 34

T/f A pet with a brace will never wear it for it’s full lifetime

Answer 34

F- could be a lifetime brace especially with neuro patients

Question 35

T/F orthotics/braces MUST be taken off during underwater treadmill sessions. They can be damaged if they’re submerged in water

Answer 35

False- most are waterproof and can be used during swimming and during underwater treadmill sessions, just clean with soap and water and allow them to air dry after// They can sink if Dog is swimming in open body of water

Question 36

T/F The tread on a orthotic/brace should be replaced every 6 months and the straps/ Velcro should be every 6 months to 2 years

Answer 36

True

Question 37

T/F Physical rehabilitation is important pre- and post- fitting of an orthotic/brace

Answer 37

True

Question 38

T/F braces/orthotics are a great option to help cortina patients after an injury and can help them regain full function without surgery

Answer 38

T- depends on injury
Ex: carpal brace for a dog with muscle tears can regain full function with PT and a brace VS surgery