In November 2024 I had a brilliant day learning all about orthotics, what they are, why your dog may need them and how to fit them to ensure you get the best results for your dog.
So in this blog I am going to share that information with you and we are going to take a look at orthotics: what they are and why we use them but don’t worry I won’t bore you too much with the technicalities this will be an easy guide to help you decide if your dog needs an orthotic and if they do which type might be best. But remember if your dog has a suspected injury that you are looking to rehab please speak with your vet/vet physio/rehab specialist first as they will be able to give you bespoke advice specific to your dog and their specific needs.
First let's have a look at what orthotics are:
Orthotics are in simple works splints or supports that help to reduce pain and will stop unwanted joint movement or to help control joint movement to reduce pain. There are many types of orthotics and lots of different companies that make orthotics, my training was with Scandi Orthopedic orthotics so I will focus on their orthotics grading system for the purpose of this blog and you can find out more at their website here: https://scandiorthopedic.se/?lang=en.
The most common injuries in which orthotics are effective are:
OA (arthritis)
Tendon and ligament injuries (achilles tendon rupture etc.)
Carpal or tarsal hyperflexion or hyperextension (wrist and hock injuries)
Fractures
Neurological conditions
Depending on the type of injury and the stage of healing different orthotics can be used, these are graded from 1-4 where 1 is flexible and provides mainly proprioceptive support (meaning having something on the limb makes your dog more aware of where it is in space) to grade 4 which is completely rigid and allows no movement or in some cases controlled movement at a specific joint which can be altered by your therapist.
Why might your dog need an orthotic?
The most common use for orthotics is in rehabilitation from injury by gradually increasing movement and loading of a specific joint in a slow and controlled way, reducing the risk of reinjury or in cases of open fractures limiting movement to allow healing but still allowing access to wounds for cleaning to prevent infections. Orthotics can also be used in OA or after surgery to provide support to weakened joints.
What do I do if I think my dog could benefit from an orthotic?
Speak with your vet/vet physio who will be able to advise if an orthotic is going to be helpful and help you get the correct grade and sizing
Call your insurance provider- many insurance providers will cover the cost of orthotics if supported by your vet/vet physio
Take your dogs measurements/scan for grade 4 orthotics
Place your order- Zoomadog is a great place to order from as they keep stock in the UK (https://zoomadog.co.uk/)
Get your orthotic fitted- it’s important to get your orthotic fitted correctly as ensuring the orthotic is the correct size, length and fit ensures your dog does not get pressure sores and their force and weight are spread evenly
Orthotics work best with a rehab plan so for best results ensure you book a vet physio session for your dog. For those in West Yorkshire, if you'd like help with your pets rehab/fitness please drop me a message on Whatsapp on 07531161608.
Grade 3 Orthotics for the Tarsal joint:
Support the hock and prevent excessive hock movement in all directions.
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