Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with sciatic nerve injury walks better using ankle-foot brace
By Levine, J M & Fitch, R B·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2003·Colorado State University, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of an ankle-foot orthosis in a dog with traumatic sciatic neuropathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-month-old male golden retriever was brought in after suffering a gunshot wound that caused nerve damage in his leg, leading to difficulty walking. To help him, the veterinarian fitted him with an ankle-foot orthosis, a supportive device that helped him move better by correcting the way his foot flexed. This treatment allowed the dog to walk more comfortably and avoided the need for amputation. However, a year later, he needed surgery to stabilize his ankle due to ongoing issues, and he later developed another knee problem in the same leg.
People also search for: dog leg injury treatment · golden retriever sciatic nerve damage · ankle-foot orthosis for dogs
Abstract
Traumatic unilateral sciatic neuropathy secondary to a gunshot wound was diagnosed in a seven-month-old, intact male golden retriever. Findings on neurological assessment, performed after cardiovascular stabilisation, were incompatible with a return to normal limb function. An ankle-foot orthosis was used to correct excessive flexion of the digits and tarsus. This device greatly improved the dog's willingness to ambulate and could serve as an alternative to amputation in companion animals with severe sciatic axonotmesis or neurotmesis. Complications associated with chronic tibiotarsal hyperflexion necessitated a pantarsal arthrodesis one year after initial presentation; the dog also developed cranial cruciate disease in the affected limb three years after the gunshot injury.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12779177/