Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Carpal joint bent inward in 3-month Dobermann after nerve injury
By Holland, C T·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2005·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Carpal hyperflexion in a growing dog following neural injury to the distal brachium.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A three-month-old Doberman was brought in because his right wrist was bending too much, making it impossible for him to place his paw flat on the ground. This problem developed over three weeks after he suffered an injury to his upper leg. The vet found that the nerves controlling the muscles around the wrist were damaged and causing muscle wasting. After surgery to free the trapped nerve, the puppy's wrist straightened out, and he regained muscle strength over the next four months.
People also search for: puppy wrist bending · Doberman carpal hyperflexion treatment · dog nerve injury recovery
Abstract
A three-month-old dobermann was presented with hyperfiexion of the right carpus. The abnormality had evolved over a three-week period, following circumferential soft tissue trauma to the distal brachium. The carpal joint angle measured at the limit of passive extension was 105 degrees compared with 175 degrees for the left carpus, and prevented placement of metacarpal and digital pads on the ground. Neurological examination revealed marked atrophy of the carpal extensors, an absent extensor carpi radialis reflex and moderate atrophy of the carpal flexors. Spontaneous electromyographic activity consistent with denervation was recorded in the carpal extensor and flexor muscles. Surgical exploration of the distal radial nerve disclosed a region of fibrosis enmeshing the deep branch of the radial nerve. Following relief of the entrapped nerve, carpal hyperflexion, muscle atrophy and the extensor carpi radialis reflex deficit gradually resolved over four months. It is suggested that, In the rapidly growing limb, myoneural dysfunction Induced by trauma was the underlying pathophysiological mechanism for carpal hyperflexion.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15682736/