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Performance Dog Knee Brace | CCL Dog Rear Leg Brace
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Performance Dog Knee Braces - Order Process
MEASURE
Measure your dog's leg using the measurement guide below.
Purchase
Enter your measurements and purchase your Performance Dog Knee Brace.
FIT
We ship your dog brace based on the size selected. You fit it to your dog's leg, and they are on the way to recovery!
WHAT BRACE IS BEST FOR MY DOG?
BRACE FITTING VIDEO
Details
Features
Measuring
Sizing Chart
FAQs
Fitting Instructions
Care & Use
Details
Our Performance Dog Knee Brace provides support and stability for your dog's knee following an injury or surgery.
The combination of adjustable straps, secure tensioning D-rings, high-quality motion hinges, and triple-layered cushioning foam provides strong support with a light load on the limb.
Common Conditions That Benefit from This Dog Knee Brace
For Partial Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) tear, the Performance Dog Knee brace is an adequate option. However for maximum support, we recommend a Custom Dog Knee brace for any CCL tear since the custom brace is built specifically for supporting the tibia. The Performance Dog Knee brace may not have full contact with the tibia depending on your dog's specific measurements due to the standard sizing options for this brace.
CCL or Collateral Ligament sprains
Post-Surgical and/or post injury recovery
Wound management
Ligaments, tendons, and soft tissue injuries and fractures
When This Dog knee brace is not recommended
The Performance Dog Knee brace is a standard size brace that does not fit all dog breeds and sizes. Sizing is based on measurements of your dog's leg. Please take careful measurements of your dog's leg and compare them to our sizing chart. All measurements MUST fall into the same sizing category for a proper fitting brace. If your dog's leg measurements do not fall within the same sizing category and/or suffers from Luxating Patella, we recommend a Custom Dog Knee Brace for the best treatment.
- The Performance Dog Knee Brace is NOT recommended for a Luxating Patella. The Custom Dog Knee brace is built based on your dog's condition in order to stabilize the Patella, which the Performance Dog Knee brace is not able to accommodate.
- Due to the limited standard sizing options, The Performance Dog Knee Brace is NOT recommended for the following breed types:
- Small Breeds (i.e. Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, etc.)
- Giant Breeds (i.e. Bernese Mountain dogs, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, etc.)
- Breeds without a prominent hock (i.e. some Bulldogs, some Pitbulls, some Chow Chows, etc.)
A dog knee brace is commonly referred to as a stifle or ccl/acl brace.
Benefits of this dog knee brace
- Stabilizes and protects the knee following CCL surgery
- Allows for small ligament tears to heal without invasive procedures
- Improves weight distribution on injured joints
- Provides active support during rehabilitation following injury or surgery
- Can be used as an alternative to CCL surgery, allowing your dog's knee to heal on its own
- Decreases overall recovery time and cost
- Allows your dog to return to improved activity level and near-normal joint function
- Allows for easier wound inspection
- Help to reduce pain associated with injury or chronic pain
- Can be used to prevent injuries by relieving stress on the weight bearing uninjured leg. Typically after an injury, your dog will place more weight on the sound leg putting it more at risk for injury.
Features
TECHNOLOGY
CUSHIONING FOAM STRAPS
Our brace is made with medical grade closed-cell foam, providing comfort and additional support. The padded foam cushion under each hook and loop tape strap helps prevent irritation and create better grip for the brace. If needed, the straps can be cut down for an even more accurate fit.
Alloy Range of Motion Hinge
The Performance Dog Knee Brace allows for full range of motion. You can calibrate the hinge to allow for limited or locked range of motion if needed. However, we advise you to not touch these screws unless directed to and done so by your veterinarian for those rare cases when this may be beneficial for your dog.
Moldable Thermoplastic Shell
The shell of our Performance Dog Knee Brace is a durable thermoplastic material that allows you to get an even more customized fit for your dog's leg. You can heat the upper and lower shells with a hair dryer until they soften slightly, then adjust them for a superior fit.
FEATURES
- Made in the USA
- Easy to apply and remove
- Water-resistant
- 6-Month Warranty for manufacturing defects
INJURY SEVERITY
The Performance Dog Knee brace is ideally used for injuries expected to heal within a year, such as sprain and strains and partial CCL tears.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
The Performance Dog Knee brace is perfect for dogs who want to go for walks and short runs but not long runs.
TREATMENT TIME
The Performance Dog Knee brace is designed to last throughout your dog's injury and to support them after surgery.
SUPPORT LEVEL
The Performance Dog Knee brace is great for pre-operative and post-operative use for injuries such as a partial CCL tear.
Measuring
How to Measure Your Dog's Leg
First, find the knee center
To start measuring your dog's leg you will need to find the knee center. First, bend your dog's knee. You will feel two bumps at the front of the knee, one at the top and one at the bottom. The middle of these two bumps is the knee center.
ORIENTATION
Thigh Circumference
Measure the circumference midway between the knee center and the bend of the groin.
Tibia Length
Measure from the knee center to right above the hock (the raised area on the back of your dog's ankle).
Thigh Length
Measure the distance from the knee center to the bend of the groin.
Sizing Chart
SIZE |
THIGH CIRCUMFERENCE |
THIGH LENGTH |
TIBIA LENGTH |
WEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Out of Range |
< 8" |
< 5" |
< 4.75" |
< 30 lbs |
Medium |
8" - 13" |
> 5" |
4.75" - 7" |
30 - 150 lbs |
Large |
13.125" - 18" |
> 5.5" |
4.75" - 7" |
30 - 150 lbs |
Out of Range |
> 18" |
- |
> 7" |
> 150 lbs |
FAQs
FAQS
What conditions can this Performance Dog Knee Brace be used for?
This innovative brace provides prophylactic and rehabilitative support for injuries to the stifle/knee joint and ligament. It is indicated for use as an alternative to CCL surgery or when the patient is not a surgical candidate. The brace may also be used as a sophisticated and accessible wound management device post-surgery.
What is the difference between the Performance Dog Knee Brace and the Custom Dog Knee Brace?
The Performance Dog Knee Brace is a standard size, off-the-shelf brace that offers a customizable solution to injury stabilization following injuries or surgery to the stifle/knee, specifically those involving the Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL). It has a 6 to 18-month treatment time. Sizing is based on the measurements of your dog, and sizes are listed on the product page. You may need to make adjustments to the brace to ensure a proper fit for your individual dog.
Our Custom Dog Knee Braces are built specifically for your dog. We use a combination of measurements taken of your dog and a physical cast in order to create an exact model of your dogs leg. We then create a fully custom brace from this model.
If my dog wears a knee brace will it cause further injury?
When worn properly, no. It should actually promote faster recovery. Our Performance Dog Knee Brace is designed to stabilize and support the Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL), further building scar tissue that helps heal the tear.
What is unique about the hinge/hub components?
Our patent-pending design provides Range of Motion (ROM) control, Axial Rotation of the Extensions, and Valgus/Varus deviation. This combination capably accommodates a range of anatomical variations and makes the Performance Dog Knee Brace extremely customizable.
Should I leave the brace on my dog all day?
We do not recommend letting your dog wear the brace all day. You may leave the brace on your dog for up to 14 hours a day. However, be sure to remove the brace when your dog is resting, this will prevent irritation and allow their leg to air out. Check for any signs of irritation and/or swelling after removing the brace.
Please remove the brace before your dog goes to bed at night.
What if my dog doesn’t like the brace?
It is not uncommon for dog's to not love wearing their brace at first. You can help your dog to acclimate to their new brace by using treats and praise. It is required to follow the break-in period of 30 minutes the first day and gradually increase their wear-time by 30 minutes each following day. This builds up your dogs tolerance to the brace and prevents irritation and/or swelling.
I am not sure if I am measuring correctly for a Performance Dog Knee Brace. Can you help me?
Please contact us at 651-440-9321 or care@aocpet.com so we can walk you through the process.
Why does it tell me my dog's measurements are 'out of range' and tells me to order a Custom Brace?
The Performance Dog knee brace has limited sizing options. Unfortunately, it sounds like your dog does not fall into any of our current sizing options for this brace. We encourage you to consider our Custom Dog Knee brace, since custom braces are made specifically to your dog's measurements.
I am having problems getting my dog's knee brace to fit. What do I do?
Please email us at care@aocpet.com. In your email, please describe the issue(s) you are having and include 2-3 photos of the brace fitted to your dog to the best of your ability. This will allow us to see what you are seeing, how the brace currently fits on your dog, and how your dog's leg is built. That information gives us the best chance of helping you find the perfect fit!
Can the brace be worn in water?
Yes, the brace can be worn in water since it is water-resistant. However, we recommend you remove the brace once your dog leaves the water. You must allow the brace dry fully before you reapply it to your dog. Do not place the brace in direct sunlight to dry as this can cause it to lose its shape.
Fitting Instructions
TO ACHIEVE THE BEST FIT FOR YOUR DOG'S KNEE BRACE
Adjust screws on hinges
The hinges on either side of the Performance Dog Knee Brace must be adjusted to fit your dog. See below for details.
Align with knee center
The center of the brace is where the circular range of motion hinge is located. Align the center of the brace with your dog's knee center. Ensure that the bottom of the brace is above the dog's ankle. Also, ensure that the top of the brace does not go into the dog's groin area.
Trim Padded Straps
If necessary, you can trim the padded straps that lay under the hook and loop tape. Ensure that the end of the padded strap meets - but does not overlap - the edge of the brace when fully tightened. After trimming the padded strap, cover the edges with the provided edge tape.
YOUR DOG'S KNEE BRACE WILL ARRIVE WITH HINGES UNADJUSTED.
You can easily adjust the hinge length with a Phillips head screwdriver. This ensures the brace accurately fits your dog to provide the most support during their recovery.
NOTE: PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED WITH YOUR DOG'S KNEE BRACE THOROUGHLY. INJURY CAN OCCUR IF HINGES AND BRACE ARE NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED. ADJUSTMENTS NEED TO BE MADE TO THE BRACE.
Care & Use
ASSEMBLY
- Some assembly required to achieve the best fit your dog
- A Phillips head screwdriver required to adjust hinge screws. For further details, see the "Fitting Instructions" tab.
- Scissors are required to cut the padded straps
CARE
- Wipe down surface with isopropyl alcohol
USE
- It is required that you follow the break-in period protocol for your dog. This helps to prevent irritation and allows your dog to become comfortable when wearing their brace. Failure to follow the break-in period could result in further injury to your dog.
- Your dog may wear their brace whenever they are active, both indoors and outdoors. Performance dog knee braces are water-resistant and can be used for hydrotherapy but must be allowed to dry fully, not in direct sunlight.
- Remove your dog's brace when they are not active for extended periods of time. This allows their leg to relax, prevents irritation, and allows their skin breathe.
- Once your dog has successfully completed the break-in period without irritation occurring, they may wear their knee brace for up to 14 hours a day. Wearing the brace for longer than 14 hours could result in irritation and/or injury.
BREAK-IN PERIOD
Similarly to breaking in a new pair of shoes, the Performance Dog Knee Brace should initially be worn in short increments as your dog builds up a tolerance to the device. For best results, place the brace on your pet for only half an hour the first day. You can typically increase this time by a further half hour each subsequent day. You can facilitate this process by positively reinforcing and rewarding your dog for wearing the brace. Please keep in mind that the break-in period and time of each increment will depend on your pet's diagnosis and overall acceptance of the brace.
If there is any irritation or skin breakdown, discontinue use of the brace for one full day. If irritation continues, contact us at care@aocpet.com.
Skin & Brace Examination
It is crucial that you thoroughly inspect your pet's skin after each use of the Performance Dog Knee Brace. This is especially important during the initial break-in period. While it is not uncommon to see minor problems for the first few weeks of brace usage, make note of any blisters or other unusual marks on the skin. In particular, skin redness that does not disappear within an hour after the brace is removed and other signs of skin breakdown are indications of excessive pressure from the brace.
You should also carefully examine the brace itself after each use. Identify any cracks, tears, or areas of unusual wear. If either the upper or lower shell is damage, or the hinge sustains damage or stops functioning, please contact care@aocpet.com to discuss ordering replacements. Consult our warranty terms for other details on the service process.
Hygiene & Cleaning
Both the Performance Dog Knee Brace and areas of skin that come into contact with it must be kept clean. This reduces the chance of your dog contracting contact dermatitis or other skin conditions. Regularly clean the brace with a mixture of half water, half isopropyl alcohol. After cleaning, dry with a towel or let the brace dry at room temperature. Do not speed the drying process through use of applied heat, such as from a hair dryer. Never put a wet brace onto your pet, as it will affect the fit. A properly-fitted brace can be worn in water, but should be thoroughly dried after use before re-application.
Customer Reviews
Based on 495 reviews
65%
(322)
14%
(68)
11%
(56)
4%
(21)
6%
(28)
M
Our dog, Leo, sustained a CCL injury and unfortunately surgery was not an option for us so we opted to buy a brace for him. It takes a little bit of set up (and if you’re dog doesn’t like things on them it may take a bit for them to get used to). I did email customer care and Victoria was a great help for us. She took a look at photos and videos we sent and provided us with feedback about the fit. Appreciate the guidance. It’s been a couple months with the brace. We are now up to walking 1 mile with the brace (and he is able to slowly walk on all 4 legs even without it).
Hi Meghna,
We are so happy to see that Leo is doing well with his Performance Dog Knee Brace! Thank you for sharing a video! We hope Leo continues to enjoy his walks and show improvements. We appreciate your honest feedback and for the kind words! Please let us know if you ever have any questions about the brace or need assistance, happy to help!
Best,
Animal Ortho Care
M
Our older dog Luther tore his CCL . He’s been wearing the brace for a while now ~ we put it on him as a help at this point . He’s 12 years old . This brace absolutely gave him years to his life . As a Nurse for humans , I knew he would not bode well in a surgical situation at his advanced age and inability to lay still . Husky wanderer .This is our boy ~ still wandering . Highly , highly recommended !! The company service , fitting, and repair service are second to none . From a medical standpoint ~ it worked . Luther can run with or without his brace on . He absolutely loves it . At first he’d go to bite us ~ now he stands still and waiting for us to put it on. Thank you for giving us more time with our handsome boy. His nickname is best worst dog ever 😂🤣. We love him ❤️
Hi Megan,
This warms our hearts to see that Luther is doing well with the brace! Thank you for sharing photo's. So cute!! We are extremely happy to hear you had such a great experience with us. We hope Luther continues to show improvements with the brace and lives his best life! Please let us know if you ever have any questions about the brace, happy to assist!
Best,
Animal Ortho Care
K
Really helps our dog enjoy walks again!
Hi Kristi, we are so happy to hear your pup is able to enjoy going for walks again! This fills our hearts with so much joy! We hope your dog has continuous improvement with the brace and please let us know if any questions arise, always happy to help!
AOC
g
I unfortunately have been unable to try the brace Elvis tore his other ccl before we had a chance .
B
Unfortunately, my dog needs surgery so I returned the knee brace after my request was granted and I am waiting for confirmation of the refund. There was nothing wrong with the brace but I guess the injury was too severe.
Hi Beverly,
We are so sorry to hear the brace was not an option. I do see we received your product and you have already been refunded for it. Do let us know if you have any questions down the line. We wish you and your dog all the best during surgery and post surgery.
Best,
Animal Ortho Care
M
Jax is doing great with the brace. Thank you!’
We are happy to hear the brace is working well for Jax and that you are pleased with the product. We appreciate you taking the time to write us a review. Let us know if you have any questions, happy to help!
Best,
Animal Ortho Care
J
I purchased this after my dog tore his ACL. I was very apprehensive at first because it didn’t seem like it would hold up to the activity. He’s 100 pound boxer mastiff any tears through things. I was surprised when this thing held up as well as it did, when he was at daycare running around with all the other dogs. I highly recommend this brace.
Hi Jessica! We are so happy the brace is working out so well for your pup and that he is able to run around and play with his friends at doggy daycare because of it! This fills our hearts with so much joy! Please let us know if you ever have any questions, happy to help!
AOC
J
I liked that I could customize the fitting to my dog’s leg and it was easy to do.
The only thing that I would recommend is having it waterproof. I live in Canada and my dog has worn the brace in the snow about four times and now it squeaks (and yes I have dried it as soon as we come in).
Hi Jessica! We greatly appreciate your feedback! We are so happy to hear you're enjoying the product and that it's been easy to use! What a sweet pup, thank you so much for sharing this adorable photo with us! We hope they are progressing each week! Please let us know if you ever have any questions, always happy to help!
AOC
A
It’s truly amazing my dog can also be super active with it I would recommend it . My dog had a torn acl and she runs just the way she did before because of this brace.
W
We wanted to share this heart warming success story with you on this Thanksgiving weekend.
About 6 months ago this spunky little goat, named Frankie, presented to Dr. Lindsay Knott with a sudden onset, non-weight baring lameness. He was diagnosed with a subluxation (displacement) of the tarsometatarsal joint (hock) and several small fractures of the hock bones. Despite his advanced age of 17 years old, Frankie’s very dedicated owner decided to give him a chance! Under the care of Dr Knott, he spent about 4 months in a cast before being fit for a custom full limb brace to wear for the remainder of his days. Frankie has now fully healed and is back to loving his rambunctious life!
This company has been so wonderful to work with. And to work with Dr Knott calling her with questions and having to talk with the fabrications team since this has been the first of its kind for a goat. Let’s just say I’m so impressed of the customer service from this company. If you are thinking twice like I was. It was worth every cent to make my goat more comfortable. I can’t say enough about this company. I know they will get a lot more sales from Loomis Basins Equine going forward. Keep up the great customer connection. From the AHLSTROM Family
Hi Ahlstrom Family! Thank you so so much for sharing Frankie's story with us and trusting us to help him! It warms our hearts knowing our products helped improve his quality of life! We wish Frankie nothing but the best and please let us know if you ever have questions, always happy to help!
AOC
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