What happens when a dog injures its radial nerve?

Q: “My dog was hit by a car recently and injured his right front leg. He is able to stand up straight, but he limps and his right paw seems to roll under his leg. He has been licking constantly at his paw. What could be wrong with him? ”

A: Some degree of front limb dysfunction may occur.

It sounds like your dog may have damaged the radial nerve. I recommend that you have your dog evaluated by your veterinarian. The extent of the injury and its long term effects will depend on where along the course of the nerve the injury occurred and how much damage the nerve sustained.

If your dog is able to stand and extend his elbow normally on the affected side, the nerve injury would probably be below the motor branches of the radial nerve that innervate the triceps muscle, an important muscle used in standing. Sometimes the brachial plexus, a nerve network from which the radial and other nerves emerge to supply the limb, is also damaged. If this had occurred to your dog, he would not be able to support his weight adequately while walking, resulting in a limp.

The rolling of the paw you describe might signal damage to the part of the radial nerve that innervates the extensor muscles to the paw; the resulting weakness of t he extensors causes the rolling you describe. Loss of sensation to the paw may cause pets to traumatize themselves while walking, or even to chew their toes.

Your veterinarian may want to x-ray the limb to look for a fracture, particularly one that could pinch or damage the radial nerve. The doctor will determine the extent of the injury and discuss necessary treatment. Nerve regeneration may take more than three months. If normal or near-normal function cannot be restored, surgical fusion of the carpal bones and digits in the affected paw and/or flexor tendon transfer to rebalance gait may be necessary. If he mutilates the foot, then amputation may ultimately be necessary.

I think that you should keep the dog isolated for now until it can be more completely evaluated. Please seek veterinary care for your dog promptly.

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