Posted by Monica Mercer on Mon, Nov 09, 2009
Ben Blecha was recently asked by Vetpodcast to talk about up and coming field of dog braces and artificial limbs. He defines dog orthotics, dog prosthetics and how they are different.
He speaks about common pathologies we use dog braces to correct. Shortfalls of fitting dog artifical limbs are discussed. He gives some pointers on finding yourself the appropriate professional to make an artifical limb or brace for your pet.
He discusses the importance of following up the use of a brace, or prosthetic limb, with teaching the dog how to rely on and use the brace to their benefit. Weight shift techniques are a good way to teach them what the brace is for.
In those instances where the entire leg has been amputated, there is nothing to attach the prosthetic to. The more of a limb that can be left behind increases the success rate of fitting a prosthetic that can support the dog instead of hinder him. He also touchs on Osteointegration (a direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing implant) as a possible cure for many shortcomings of fitting prostheses to animals and humans.
Please have a listen!
Posted by Ben Blecha on Thu, Oct 29, 2009
Many times we get caught up in the letters behind our names (and we should, we earned them) But what do they mean?...Does the training fit what you are trying to accomplish? Is it sufficient? We are going to list some "letters" you might see that professionals (or possibly pretenders) may have behind their name that are working with you during the bracing or artificial limb experience.
I want to reiterate from my charlatan blog post, the fields of animal braces and artificial limbs are relatively new. Companies focusing on this field started popping up around 2004-5. Because it is a new field, many people of different educational and skill levels are in the mix. Many people with human medicine background have crossed over to work in veterinary medicine (myself included.) With no licensure, the occasional charlatan can lead to some painful results. I will only say...be sure that you are matching the level of service with what you are trying to accomplish when looking for a pet brace or artifical limb.
Your alphabet soup....
AT-Applied Technologist-This is an invented name; there is no certification board that accredits putting these letters behind your name.
CO-Certified Orthotist-Human certification by ABC to fabricate orthoses (braces) under the guidance of a doctor. Educational Requirements: Bachelor's of Science Degree with a certificate in orthotics AND a year of residency.
CP-Certified Prosthetist-Human certification by ABC to fabricate prostheses (artificial limbs) under the guidance of a doctor. Educational Requirements: Bachelor's of Science Degree with a certificate in prosthetics AND a year of residency.
CPed-Certified Pedorthist-Human certification by ABC to fabricate SOLEY orthoses of the foot and ankle under the guidance of a doctor. Educational Requirements: A high school diploma or GED, A 2-3 week certification course, and 1000 hours of patient care experiences.
CPO-Certified Prosthetist-Orthotist-Human certification by ABC to fabricate both prostheses ANDorthoses under the guidance of a doctor. Educational Requirements: Bachelor's of Science Degree with a certificate in prosthetics and orthotics and 2 years of residency.
DPM-Doctor of Podiatric Medicine-Human medical degree focusing on foot-ankle complex.
Call 308-423-2612 or mail to P.O. Box 471 Benkelman, NE 69021
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Are there other letters that you are seeing in animal brace rehabilitation? Please post them if you want some clarification!!
Posted by Ben Blecha on Thu, Oct 29, 2009
I'm writing this blog article from personal experience, not as a pet owner (which I am, my dog Bode is helping me right now) but as an amputee myself. During my journey as an amputee, I found that there were charlatans in the field. I considered charlatans to be people that meant good, but in the end were the ones that made me "bleed" both figuratively and literally. I want to relate my experiences to the pet world.
The fields of animal braces and artificial limbs are relatively new. Companies focusing on this started popping up around 2004-5. Because it is a new field many people of different educational and skill levels are in the mix. Many people with human medicine background have crossed over to work in veterinary medicine (myself included.) With no licensure, the occasional charlatan can lead to some painful results.
I want to share a personal story that happened to me in hopes of protecting your loved ones...your pets. And then of course, give you a guide to help protect your love ones. Until we have some clear rules, the most you can do is educate yourself on who is working with your animal brace or artificial limb.
My story:
I had my leg amputated when I was 21 years old after a 5 year battle to save my leg. When I was 16 I had been diagnosed with bone cancer (proud 18 year survivor) and I had to have my knee replaced to remove the tumor. Amputation was actually an option at that time, but I was not going to let anyone take my leg. I was a distance runner in track and was ready to run and play...no one was going to take my leg!
The next years after my knee replacement, I did everything I was supposed to for rehab of the leg an more. Yet I kept having set backs. I had fluid on my knee; the nerves to the key muscles were severed during the normal process of the surgery. Finally I broke the knee replacement out of the bone!!
I had to have the knee replaced again. Within 6 months the I had an infection around the metal of the replacement. We did everything to save it...Opened the leg and scrubbed, moved muscle, skin grafts, IV antibiotics...nothing would get rid of the infection. Finally, I had to concede to the fact that I was going to have an amputation.
Fortunately, thanks to playing wheelchair basketball while I was in college, my perspective on amputations had changed. I saw that amputees could do some very amazing things. They could do so much more than I could dragging my badly wounded leg around. I found myself wanting the amputation so I could increase my quality of life.
After my amputation, I was excited to get my prosthesis and to be up and running!!
Enter the charlatan. 
See, all the bad stuff that happened before was just bad luck. What happened next was not. I had been under the impression when I went into the prosthetist that he was licensed to help. It turns out, at that time no state had licensure requirements to make a brace or artificial limb. (now there are 10 states woo! hoo!) (also, currently there are no licensure requirements anywhere in prosthetic and orthotics for animals)
THIS WAS CRAZY!!! I mean come on, you have to have license to cut hair. My wore a white medical jacket. He evaluated me in a treatment room...I assumed he was bona fide.
Long story short, he had little training. What I thought would be a process of getting my life back turned into a real nightmare. The prosthesis made it very painful to walk. Blood would seep out of the prosthesis from the wounds it rubbed. I could not go to work. I could barely wear the leg for more than a few hours. My quality of life was much less than before the amputation.
Trying to help the situation, I brought ideas to fix the problems. I was an engineering student with "solutions", just to be greeted with "that won't work." I was fed up and took control of the situation...I enrolled in prosthetic and orthotic school!
During my time at school, I found that though there was not licensure regulating the field, there were certifying boards that assured some level of education. The certifications are really our only chance to protect our love ones when we are forced to use a brace or artificial limb.
Please educate yourself about the players / professionals and certifications to protect your animal!!
What level of training do you think professionals should have to help your animal?