FITTING INSTRUCTIONS
1.
The foam padding straps
beneath the Velcro
®
serve
as a barrier to protect your
dog’s leg from Velcro
®
rubbing
and irritation. The padding
straps are designed so they
can be trimmed to best fit
your dog. Working from the
bottom strap to the top, pull
each of the Velcro
®
straps
off the foam padding so that
both pieces can be moved
independently.
2.
While fitting the brace to your
dog, incrementally trim the
foam padding straps as you
go ensuring you don’t trim
too much early in the fitting
process. For some dogs, most
or all the strap may need to
be trimmed and removed.
The straps should be trimmed
so the end of the strap meets
the edge of the brace when
tightened. The padding and
straps should not overlap.
3.
Once you have trimmed
padding down, cover raw
ends of the strap with edge
tape (included) to prevent
fraying. Start from the bottom
and conform the padding by
compressing down the sides
of the brace to your dog’s leg.
Close the Fidlock
®
Magnetic
Closure, tighten the Velcro
®
strap and wrap the strap
around the brace.
4.
Repeat process for the top
part of the brace.
SNUG FIT
If you can get a pen in
between your dog’s skin and
the strap, then you need
to tighten more. It is most
important that it is snug at the
hock area. The brace MUST
fit snug to prevent slippage
and to ensure proper fit. For
some dogs you may need to
wrap the bottom Velcro
®
strap
around your dog’s leg twice.
5.
If after tightening, there
is still a gap between the
knee and brace, remove the
brace from the dog and heat
this area for 5 to 7 minutes
by using a blow dryer or
wrapping it in a heating pad.
Reapply and compress the
area against the leg, readjust
the straps, and wait for it to
harden while continuing to
compress the area.
FIDLOCK
®
MAGNETIC CLOSURE SYSTEM
Open or close using top flap.
THE HINGE RANGE OF MOTION
The hinge has a range of motion that
is preset. Please DO NOT adjust the
range of motion unless instructed by
your veterinarian.
ADJUSTING THE HINGE LENGTH
1.
Both lower and upper extensions
of the hinges can be independently
adjusted to accommodate variations
in limb length.
2.
To adjust, remove all four set screws
(two on each side), slide vertically to
desired length. Re-tighten screws.
3. The most common fitting issue is
the length of the Tibia/Lower Shell.
The length of the Tibia/Lower Shell
can be shortened by relocating
the screws to the upper slot of the
upright, as shown. To lengthen,
relocate the screws to the bottom
slot of the hinge upright.
A
PROPER BRACE ALIGNMENT
1.
Open the Fidlock
®
Magnetic Closures and place your
dog’s leg into the brace.
2.
Align the center of the brace hinge with the bend
of the knee (the bump on both sides of the knee
joint)
A
.
3. When the hinge is aligned with the knee, the bottom
edge of the brace must sit above the dog’s hock
B
. Several adjustments may be needed in order to
achieve the correct length. Follow the “Adjusting the
Hinge” instructions to obtain the correct hinge length.
First, watch the fitting video located on our website at aocpet.com/pages/instructions.
Please read the complete instructions before applying the brace.
B
