Wrist problems in dogs
The wrist joint
The wrist joint is composed of several complex joints. All these joints have a number of ligaments that limit the movements in the wrist to the 'normal' movement. These bands have their function during walking, absorbing the shocks by allowing the wrist to overextend. Overstretching the wrist joint during landing is a movement for optimal shock absorption, which puts less stress on the front legs.
Hyperextension of the wrist
The hyperextension of the wrist is therefore normal during movement. This is necessary for shock absorption.
Wrist problems from acute trauma
If that overstretching has been too great, due to an acute trauma , the wrist joint will remain in that overstretched position, because the ligaments have been stretched too far or have been torn off.
Wrist problems due to repeated overload
The overstretching can also become too great due to repeated overloading . These overloads are often caused by jumping over an obstacle. But also jumping off somewhere, jumping out of a car, is a heavy burden on the dog's wrist joints.
Wrist problems due to being overweight
The weight of the dog also plays an important role. The dog carries 60% of its weight on the front legs. So if the dog is slightly overweight, this will mainly be reflected in the front legs. Remember that every dog is an athlete, if you look at its movement while walking, playing... The more weight the wrists have to carry, the more chance of (serious) injuries.
Tax line
The construction of the front legs is such that with normal joints the line of load runs straight through the wrist joint. However, if there is an overstretching of the wrist, this line falls behind the wrist joint. As a result, this joint will be pushed even more downwards, so that even more overstretching will / can take place.
And this is where a wrist brace can help. By keeping the wrist straighter again during load, this line will go back through the wrist joint and the wrist will therefore no longer be negatively affected.
If the sagging of the wrist is not too bad yet, you can opt for a SOFT wrist dog brace.
If the sagging is larger, you should opt for a custom wrist dog brace anyway.
Lateral instability of the wrist
Sometimes it happens that the wrist is not only unstable backwards, but that lateral instability also occurs. Here the brace can also help to keep the leg straight. Or ensure that the O or X position of the leg does not increase.
This dog brace will not only provide forward-backward support, but will also provide lateral stability. This makes the dog walk more stable and have less pain while walking.
This dog brace is always made to measure for your dog. The measurement is done with a plaster measurement. After measuring we can give an exact price.