Carpal Hyperextension in Dogs

Hi, my 8 month old Italian Greyhound puppy Fabi (Fabiana) had an accident when she was only 4.5 months. A pice of wood fell on her and broke her ulna and radius on the left side. It was a clean break. The out a plate and 7 screws. She was in a splint for 4 weeks to heal and 3 weeks after being released she had a small fracture on the same area again by where one of the screws was. After seeing the xrays 4 weeks after that we noticed that the bone was now growing with a medial valgus due to what could be suspected to be damage to growth plate. Because of this at 7.5months old they did surgery again to remove the plate so it wouldn’t go through her skin due to the curve in the bone. After finally healing from all that and being in a splint for 12 weeks in a row (lost all muscle mass and ligaments stretched out) when the splint was taken out we noticed she was hyperextending her carpal joint.
We ordered a brace for support while she regains muscle mass and soft tissue but I am frightened.

On soft ground like grass she can completely hyperextend the leg. When she’s without the brace she will it walk on the grass but on the sidewalk it seems to look better although not perfect but she will walk ‘normal’ without picking it up. With the brace on she will take a few steps on the grass and walk great on the sidewalk. She doesn’t seem to be in pain and let’s me touch it.

Will this be something that with time 4-6 months and physical therapy and dog paddle in the water will recoil and come back in your opinion??? I am frightened for her and she has gone through so much at such an early age I don’t think I can put her through anymore surgeries in that area.

I appreciate any help and advice you can give me. Thank you!

Our pit bull has had this as a degenerative issue for several years. It has recently escalated to the point where we have been referred to an orthopedic surgeon for a consult. Because she is 8 and has it in both front paws and arthritis as well, I am concerned she will not be a candidate for surgery. Her quality of life is deteriorating and it is heartbreaking to see our sweet girl in so much pain. She’s been on Rimadyl 2x/day for years and is now on Tramadol as well 2-3x/day. Our consult is 4/10.

My collies condition has recently deteriorated again, he has arthritis and carpal hyper-extension in both front carpal joints, his exercise is managed and on soft ground only alongside using rugs and runners at home and hydrotherapy and massage. His front legs have started to bow so has resulted in paw pad movement. He wears carpal supports to help on his walks but only manages 20 minutes now. The last couple of walks he's stopped in his tracks and plods behind me, after checking his paws I found they were sore and weeping between the two outer pads which must be taking the pressure more now while walking. I've tried a booty and bandaging but it doesn't stay on long, I've kept it clean too but wonder if this will keep reoccurring? I know when he is pain and is being managed suitably but this has really knocked the wind out of his usual happy go lucky joyful walkies. I've had to carry the 23kg soft sod back to the car before now. It's really getting him down and just looking for some ideas to help him walk a short way without the wounds opening or reoccurring. Thank you

I have a puppy who has hyper-extended carpal joints - both of her accessory pads can almost touch the ground sometimes. Both front legs affected. She is 8 months old. Not lame, or limping, or in pain at all. No accident to cause it that I am aware of. She runs and plays like a normal puppy. I just notice it when she is sitting/standing and when she is walking. Is this normal in some puppies? She is 4kg poodle mix. I first noticed it a week ago and its freaking me out.

I noticed last night that my almost 13 year-old German Shephard/Dalmation mix has a paw that sits almost flat on the ground. About three years ago she slipped on the ice and sprained that joint/area and was treated for about a year off/on by our vet until they said "she will likely favor it the rest of her life". She has not had any problems walking or exhibited any signs of pain. However, it shocked me when I noticed it. I called and explained everything to the vet tech who relayed it to our vet between appointments. When they called back it was basically "given her age she would not be a good candidate for surgery, unless she is having an issue walking I would not advise a car ride" (NOTE: she does not like car rides). Aside from restricting her stair use is there any advise you can give or things I can do?

Hello, my dog seemingly has hock hyperextension. He has it on both legs, however the left one is more severe than the right. He limps, and rarely does not let his left leg touch the ground. Our vet told us to use a special hock bandage that would have fixed the problem, and we also did physiotherapy. However both legs have been getting worse. He still runs and jumps, but not as active as he was before. He bites the hock joint a lot. What do you recommend us to do? thank you.

Hello,i have a doberman pinscher 5 months old.I saw he has a problem when walking lowly he limping but he can Run with no problem.He has a swelling carpal.I don't know is from of sprain or arthrisitis(disease).When i touch the carpal he don't have pain.I think the dog is overweight.He licking the carpal.I hope so you can help me please.

Hi, my dog had surgery on the the 30/08/17 for this problem all they did was cut the ulna bone as it had not grown the same lenght as the radius i collected her after the opp with no dressing at all and have kepted her resting as much as possible the leg now looks worse than before and she cant walk far I have had a secound apion and have been told the bone is still broken and she shouldent have had this done to her she was 14 mounths old time off opperation.