the inventors of the present application have developed a canine prosthetic device particularly suitable for reducing symptoms associated with chd and lsd . the prosthetic device will be described with reference to the various figures forming a part of the present disclosure . a prosthetic device of the present invention is illustrated in left side view in fig1 , in right side view in fig2 and in rear view in fig3 as the various components are arranged in use . the prosthetic device , generally represented at 1 , comprises complementary rear braces , 2 and 3 , which simultaneously draw the rear hips inward towards each other and superior , a forward harness , 4 , and a tether , 5 , draw the complementary rear braces towards the harness . the various components persuade the upper leg superior , anterior and inward thereby persuading the ball of the hip joint into the socket of the hip joint in a natural position . by supporting the hip joint in this manner the effects of laxity are mitigated and the pain associated therewith is minimized . furthermore , as the animal moves the prosthetic device supports the leg in a proper position to fully engage the hip joint in the natural position without limiting the motions associated with walking . the prosthetic device augments the tendons and counteracts the tendency of a joint with chd and lsd to be , at least partially , disengaged . the prosthetic device will be described in more detail with reference to fig4 . in fig4 , the complementary rear brace comprises a left brace , 2 , and a right brace , 3 . each brace is preferably arcuate to allow the braces to properly follow the natural curvature of the canine hips . attachment devices , 6 and 7 , are provided to secure the left brace to the right brace . the left brace , 2 , comprises a left leg strap , 8 , which wraps around and encircles the left leg above the knee . attachment devices , 9 and 10 , are engaged to maintain the left leg strap securely around the left leg . similarly , the right brace , 3 , comprises a right leg strap , 11 , which wraps around and encircles the right leg above the knee . attachment devices , 12 and 13 , are engaged to maintain the right leg strap securely around the right leg . it would be apparent that the prosthetic device is effective at augmenting the tendons of the hip without impairing movement associated with the knee joint . attached to at least one of the left brace or right brace is a forward projecting tether , 5 . the tether preferably comprises attachment devices , 14 and 15 , which allow the tether to be folded back over itself and secured by engaging the attachment devices 14 and 15 . the harness , 4 , is preferably generally in the shape of an “ h ”. an optional rear strap , 16 , is attached around the body of the animal behind the front legs . a front strap , 17 , is attached around the body of the animal in front of the front legs . an optional connector strap , 18 , connects the front strap and rear strap and preferably is oriented to be approximately aligned with the spine of the animal . the rear strap and front strap each have attachment devices preferably in the form of a buckle , 19 and 20 , and mating voids , 21 and 22 . buckle and mating voids are preferable for the harness due to the large number of harnesses currently available on the market which can be utilized with the present invention . a loop , 23 , is preferably secured to the harness to allow the tether to be passed there through and folded back on itself as would be apparent . it is most preferable to employ a harness with front strap , rear strap and connector to enhance comfort for the animal . it is particularly preferred that the various attachment devices be a continuously adjustable attachment device . discretely adjustable devices , such as buttons and holes , snaps , belt and buckle , and the like are suitable yet these are more difficult to use . in a particularly preferred embodiment the attachment devices comprise a loop and hook device commonly referred to as velcro ®. an embodiment of the present invention is provided in fig5 . the prosthetic device , generally represented at 50 , comprises a harness , generally represented at 51 , a tether , 52 , left hip brace , 53 , and right hip brace , 54 . the right hip brace and left hip brace are both preferably slightly arcuate with extensions , 55 and 56 . in a particularly preferred embodiment at least one of the harness , 51 , tether , 52 , left hip brace , 53 , and right hip brace , 54 , comprises a two - layer construction , as in fig6 , comprising a stretchable fabric , 63 , in one layer and a rubberized material , 64 , in the second layer . the rubberized material is preferably neoprene . in the device illustrated in fig5 , the rubberised material is preferably oriented towards the animal while the fabric layer is oriented away from the animal . loop tabs , 57 – 62 , allow the various attachments to be secured by contacting the loop tab with the fabric of the mating surface . furthermore , the device is easily adjustable by simply pulling the device in the intended direction and connecting the loop tab with the fabric . a two - layer construction is preferred , in part , due to the stretching action . the stretching action allows the prosthetic device to be applied tightly yet the prosthetic device will extend if necessary . the stretching motion avoids binding without compromising effectiveness . the fabric layer is aesthetically pleasing yet it also allows the use of a hook fastener at any point on the surface of the mating element . this allows for a large range of adjustment in a single device . it would be apparent that a flexible , loop pile fabric is preferred . attachment of the prosthetic device to the animal will be described with reference to fig5 . the order of attachment is relatively arbitrary . the harness is attached by laying the “ h ” shaped harness on the back of the animal with the cross - bar of the h along the spine and between the shoulder blades . the straps are then manipulated to encircle the body of the animal with one strap in front of the front legs and one strap behind the front legs . the straps are secured by contacting the loop tabs with the fabric at the appropriate location . each hip brace is positioned on the hip of the animal and the extension is extended around the leg and secured by attaching the loop tab to the fabric . when both hip braces are attached at the leg the loop tab of one brace is brought into contact with the fabric of the other hip brace . care must be taken to draw the two hip braces together with enough force to provide support but not so much as to cause discomfort or to limit circulation . the tether is then pulled towards the head and secured to the harness by contacting the loop tab with the fabric of the harness . it would be understood that the installation of the prosthetic device illustrated in fig4 would be similar with the difference being the type of attachment device used . the invention has been described with particular emphasis on the preferred embodiments . it would be realized from the teachings herein that other embodiments , alterations , and configurations could be employed without departing from the scope of the invention which is more specifically set forth in the claims which are appended hereto .
a prosthetic device suitable for treating canine hip dysplasia and lumbosacral disorders and method of use . the prosthetic device comprises a harness attachable to the canine . complementary rear braces are provided comprising a right brace and a left brace wherein the right brace comprises a right leg strap for encircling the right leg of the canine , and the left brace comprises a left leg strap for encircling the left leg of the canine . the right brace and left brace are engageable to apply force to persuade the hip towards a natural position . a tether between the harness and the complementary rear braces draws the right brace and left brace forward .