About Veterinary Orthotic & Prosthetic Devices
The use of orthoses (braces) and prostheses for injured animals is becoming increasingly common. Orthoses are any medical device attached to the body to support, align, position, immobilize, prevent or correct deformity, assist weak muscles, or improve function. Prostheses are medical devices as well and are used to compensate for a missing or amputated leg segment. It is no longer necessary to amputate an entire leg when only the lower part is injured; instead a partial amputation called an elective level sub-total amputation is possible in many cases.
A veterinarian must prescribe an orthosis or prosthesis after a thorough evaluation including muscle, skeleton, and nerve assessment as well as gait analysis. Once a prescription has been made the device is manufactured by a fabrication lab specializing in veterinary orthotics and prosthetics (V-OP). Fit and function are critical to meet the goal of getting an animal back on all fours! Guidance by a V-OP specialist can ensure that the veterinary patient can take the next step safely and comfortably.
"Opie" Canine Image provided by: OrthoPets Center for Veterinary Orthotics and Prosthetics,
Denver, Colorado, USA
Carpus (Wrist) image provided by:
K-9 Orthotics & Prosthetics
Stifle brace image provided by:
OrthoPets Center for Veterinary Orthotics
and Prosthetics, Denver, Colorado, USA
Animal O&P Facilities
The field of veterinary orthotics & prosthetics (V-OP) has grown immensely over the past few years. Over a dozen facilities around the world currently fabricate, fit, and distribute veterinary orthotic & prosthetic devices for farm animals and family pets. For a list of V-OP providers, worldwide, visit our Animal O&P Facilities page.
