7 Most Common Forelimb Injuries in Dogs
By: Dr. Robert Temple
Published July 1, 2024
Hello again Veterinary professionals, pet parents, and all others who have found their way here. July’s focus is on common forelimb injuries in dogs. These can arise from various causes, including trauma, overuse, or underlying health conditions. Some of the most frequently encountered forelimb injuries in dogs include:
Fractures: Fractures of the forelimb bones, such as the radius, ulna, or humerus, can occur due to accidents, falls, or excessive force. These injuries often require immobilization through splinting or surgery for proper healing. Recovery is often improved with rehab to prevent concurrent muscular atrophy.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Ligament sprains or tears, particularly in the shoulder or elbow joints, are common in active dogs or those engaged in rigorous activities like agility training or hunting. These injuries can cause lameness and may necessitate rest, medical management, physical therapy, or surgical intervention depending on severity.
Muscle Strains: Dogs may strain muscles in their forelimbs during strenuous exercise or sudden unexpected movements. Symptoms include lameness, swelling, and pain. Treatment typically involves rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and low-impact rehabilitation exercises.
Tendon Injuries: Tendons in the forelimbs can become strained, torn, or inflamed, leading to conditions like tendonitis or tenosynovitis, commonly of the biceps tendon. Treatment involves rest, immobilization, and sometimes surgical repair.
Joint Disorders: Conditions such as osteoarthritis or developmental dysplasia of the shoulder, elbow, or carpus joints can cause chronic pain and lameness in the forelimbs. Management focuses on pain relief, weight management, exercise moderation, and sometimes surgical correction.
Dislocations: Dislocation of the shoulder or elbow joints can occur due to trauma or congenital abnormalities. Immediate veterinary attention is necessary to relocate the joint and prevent further damage.
Nerve Damage: Nerve injuries, such as brachial plexus avulsion, can result from trauma or stretching of the nerves in the forelimb region. Symptoms include weakness, paralysis, and loss of sensation, and treatment may involve surgery and rehabilitation.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Ligament sprains or tears, particularly in the shoulder or elbow joints, are common in active dogs or those engaged in rigorous activities like agility training or hunting. These injuries can cause lameness and may necessitate rest, medical management, physical therapy, or surgical intervention depending on severity.
Muscle Strains: Dogs may strain muscles in their forelimbs during strenuous exercise or sudden unexpected movements. Symptoms include lameness, swelling, and pain. Treatment typically involves rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and low-impact rehabilitation exercises.
Tendon Injuries: Tendons in the forelimbs can become strained, torn, or inflamed, leading to conditions like tendonitis or tenosynovitis, commonly of the biceps tendon. Treatment involves rest, immobilization, and sometimes surgical repair.
Joint Disorders: Conditions such as osteoarthritis or developmental dysplasia of the shoulder, elbow, or carpus joints can cause chronic pain and lameness in the forelimbs. Management focuses on pain relief, weight management, exercise moderation, and sometimes surgical correction.
Dislocations: Dislocation of the shoulder or elbow joints can occur due to trauma or congenital abnormalities. Immediate veterinary attention is necessary to relocate the joint and prevent further damage.
Nerve Damage: Nerve injuries, such as brachial plexus avulsion, can result from trauma or stretching of the nerves in the forelimb region. Symptoms include weakness, paralysis, and loss of sensation, and treatment may involve surgery and rehabilitation.
Holly Johnson is our dedicated rehab technician! She is an experienced Certified Veterinary Technician, who is also a Certified Companion Animal Therapist (CCAT). She tirelessly spends her days performing hands-on therapies and executing our rehab treatment plans. Holly has a soft spot for our geriatric patients, putting an emphasis on the importance of optimizing and maintaining the quality of life of our patients and their people.
July Pet of the Month
July’s rehab pet of the month is Yoshi! Yoshi initially came to us immediately post-operatively for a consultation after having a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) due to a torn cranial cruciate ligament. Yoshi expertly navigated his rehab protocol and displayed great improvement until he unfortunately ruptured the cranial cruciate ligament in his other knee. This is a common occurrence after a cruciate ligament injury with upwards of ~60% of dogs experiencing ligament rupture in the contralateral limb within the year and a half after the initial injury. Yoshi is now cruising through his rehab protocol yet again following his second TPLO and we are very proud of his progress!
