Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Peripheral nerve injury.
- Journal:
- Seminars in veterinary medicine and surgery (small animal)
- Year:
- 1996
- Authors:
- Welch, J A
- Affiliation:
- Department of Small Animal Surgery and Medicine · United States
Plain-English summary
When pets suffer injuries, especially in emergencies, they can have damage to their peripheral nerves, which are important for movement and feeling. This nerve damage can be hard to spot if the pet also has other injuries, like broken bones, so a careful examination is necessary. The article explains how these nerves can heal after being injured and discusses the signs that might indicate nerve problems, such as weakness or loss of feeling. It also covers how to treat different types of nerve injuries, including those that happen from cuts or tears. Overall, understanding and addressing these injuries is crucial for helping pets recover properly.
Abstract
Inadequate peripheral nerve regeneration as a result of trauma contributes greatly to the morbidity of surgical patients. Animals admitted as an emergency often have concurrent orthopaedic injuries that impair mobility and may mask peripheral nerve dysfunction if a thorough neurological examination is not performed. This article reviews the pertinent anatomy of the peripheral nervous system as well as the degenerative and regenerative responses that occur in traumatized nerves. Physical examination and electrodiagnostic techniques that characterize the extent of nerve impairment are described. The management of peripheral nerve lacerations for open and closed wounds is detailed, as well as the presenting clinical signs and prognosis for brachial plexus avulsions, sciatic nerve damage, and sacrococcygeal injury.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9020580/