Use of an ankle‐foot orthosis in a dog with traumatic sciatic neuropathy

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.

Iatrogenic Sciatic Nerve Injury in Eighteen Dogs and Nine Cats (1997–2006)

“…Implementation of a conservative or surgical treatment plan was based primarily on the cause of the nerve injury. In patients with paw knuckling, a protective shoe or preferably an ankle–foot orthotic 12 was used to prevent toe injury during locomotion in the recovery phase. For patients with no clinical improvement, these devices were also used to prevent further toe injury.…”

Use of a Custom Orthotic Boot for Management of Distal Extremity and Pad Wounds in Three Dogs

“…The use of orthotic devices in dogs has been described in 2 other reports . One report described the use of an “ankle‐foot” orthosis for management of a sciatic nerve deficit sustained after a gunshot injury to the right hind limb and the other described the use of an orthotic device for postoperative support after repair of bilateral gastrocnemius tendon ruptures.…”

Cutaneous saphenous nerve graft for the treatment of sciatic neurotmesis in a dog

“…4,5,7 Alternative treatments to amputation in companion animals with sciatic neuropathy include hock-foot orthosis, in combination with or apart from peripheral nervous system surgery. 8,9 Hock-foot orthosis has been described as improving patients' willingness to ambulate, but complications associated with chronic tibiotarsal hyperflexion can develop. When possible, secondary surgical repair of sciatic neuropathy should be considered as a therapeutic option, regardless of how much time has elapsed since the original injury.…”