Does Your German Shepherd Need a Dog Front Leg Brace?

The body structure of dogs differs slightly from our own. In both people and canines, the ligaments around the knee can get injured. The knee joint of the dog is one of the weakest in its body. It is relatively unstable because there are no interlocking bones in the knee joint. Instead, it is held together by several ligaments, including the cruciate ligaments, which allow it to move back and forth like a hinge, but restrict its front-to-back and side-to-side motion. In our four-legged friends, the cranial cruciate ligament is abbreviated to CCL.

Police and military forces across the globe use German Shepherds because they are large, strong, tough, smart, and take to training well. You may think your German Shepherd is nearly indestructible, but they can be quite hurt from jumping down too far, getting into a fight, or being hit by a car. In fact, this cruciate damage is one of most common orthopedic conditions found in dogs of this breed.

The CCL primarily prevents the shin bone (tibia) from shifting forward and the thigh bone (femur) from shifting backwards. An injury causes instability of the joint, resulting in serious discomfort. If this sounds painful, you are right! This is why you'll want to be on the lookout for any symptoms of a CCL injury so you can order the dog leg brace your pet needs.

If you notice any of the following common signs, it is time to take action:

#1 Lameness or Limping

As your German Shepherd is running or playing, he can suddenly be so uncomfortable that he will not put the foot down at all. Alternatively, some dogs show a gradually worsening, on-and-off lameness over weeks or months. He might seem to get better with rest, but then become lame again as he attempts to become more active.

#2 Abnormal Behavior

Be aware of your dog's normal behavior so you can spot a change. He may sit or lie with his leg sticking out to the side rather than tucked in like normal. This is a sign that it hurts to bend that particular knee. If your German Shepherd used to love going outside but is now reluctant to go to his former favorite spots or get up at all, this is another sign of a major problem.

#3 Clicking Noise

When you bend down to tie your shoe, you may hear your knee click or pop. This happens to dogs too! The meniscus is a shock-absorbing pad of cartilage. It can become torn when the knee is moving in an abnormal way. This may create a clicking noise in the knee that can be heard when he is bending the knee.

#4 Swelling of the Knee

Any type of injury causes inflammation. A knee injury or chronic condition that isn't being treated will cause swelling in his knee. If not treated with a dog front leg brace, it will only get worse.

If you notice one or several of these symptoms, it is time to get your dog the care and treatment he needs in order to be happy and healthy again.