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What is Carpal Hyperextension?
For many owners, the first symptom noticed is an unusual gait or refusal to weight bear on a forelimb. As further trauma can cause complications it is vital you contact your veterinarian if you suspect your pet may be suffering from this condition. The prognosis without treatment is poor, however for pets who receive surgery there is a good chance of full limb function recovery.
Carpal hyperextension is caused by excessive force on the carpus, leading to the tearing of the ligaments and fibrocartilage and collapse of the carpal joint. This can be caused by sudden trauma such as falls or injury during exercise or chronic conditions such as abnormal posture while weight-bearing.
Carpal Hyperextension Average Cost
From 493 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,500
Symptoms of Carpal Hyperextension in Dogs
The symptoms will vary but may include:
- Pain and swelling on the forelimb
- Abnormal, hyperextending stance and gait
- Crying or pain vocalisation
- Increased distal limb extension
- Joint instability
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Causes of Carpal Hyperextension in Dogs
- Acute traumatic
- Caused by excessive force on the carpus, leading to the tearing of the ligaments and fibrocartilage and collapse of the carpal joint; this is common following a fall and injuries while working or exercising
- Inflammatory polyarthropathy
- Arthritis that causes the immune system to activate an inflammatory response in the joints causing swelling, pain and joint laxity
- Degenerative
- This form is common in some Collie breeds and often causes spontaneous, bilateral carpal joint hyperextension
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Diagnosis of Carpal Hyperextension in Dogs
Your veterinarian will perform a full clinical examination on your pet and watch your pet’s gait to assess weight bearing and source of pain. It is likely that your veterinarian will perform radiographs on your pet under sedation. In order to visualise the carpus and assess it for hyperextension a series of radiographs will be performed to demonstrate weight bearing positions. This will allow visualisation of the ligaments and damage.
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Treatment of Carpal Hyperextension in Dogs
The best treatment for your pet will depend on the underlying cause of the carpal hyperextension.
Conservative Care
If your pet is suffering from developmental hyperextension or a low-grade sprain he may be able to utilise rest and exercise restriction. Your veterinarian will provide a supportive splint for your pet and may recommend physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.
Surgery
If your pet is suffering from a fracture he will require orthopedic surgery in order to stabilise the fracture. In some cases, a partial carpus fusion is required, where the middle and carpometacarpal joints are fused together to reduce movement without the antebrachial joint. In cases of severe injuries and degenerative hyperextension a procedure called pan-carpal arthrodesis may be required. This immobilizes the carpal joint by fusing all three of these joints together using internal fixation. Your veterinarian will be able to discuss this procedure with you when viewing your pet’s radiographs.
A general anesthetic will be required for this procedure, although there are risks involved with anesthesia a qualified veterinary nurse will carefully monitor your pet’s vital signs throughout the surgery. In order to reduce the anesthesia agent needed, and therefore reduce the risk of respiratory and cardiac depression, a brachial plexus nerve block may be given to your pet prior to the surgery.
Post-operative recovery
To provide pain relief following the surgery a non steroidal anti-inflammatory will be given to your pet. Your pet will be placed in a warm, dark area to recover from the surgery and offered food once he is alert. To support the limb, a Robert Jones dressing will be applied until the swelling reduces.
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Recovery of Carpal Hyperextension in Dogs
Provide your pet with a warm, enclosed area to recover in. Although your companion may have a reduced appetite, ensure food is offered. It is important during this healing period that your pet is given excellent nutrition; high fat foods such as anchovies provide palatability while protein, which has a restorative effect on damaged muscle and connective tissue, promotes healing.
The prognosis following surgery is good with 74% of patients regaining full limb function within 4 months. Your pet will be discharged with a coaptation cast that will be required for 6-8 weeks, it is important that this is kept clean and dry, as infection is one of the known complications of this procedure.
One of the main causes of surgery failure is unprotected weight bearing. With this in mind, you may need to restrict your pet’s activity during this time; ensure movement restrictions are discussed with your veterinarian and a clear plan is in place.
Following the surgery, radiographs will be taken at 6 - 8 weeks to assess the the procedure and visualise the fusion of the joint. If the surgery was successful implant removal at 12 -16 weeks may be recommended.
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Carpal Hyperextension Average Cost
From 493 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,500
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Carpal Hyperextension Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Need pet health advice? Ask a vet
Ask a Vet
Oreo
German Shepherd
13 Years
Mild severity
2 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
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?
Aug. 22, 2018
Oreo's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1611 Recommendations
There aren't any things that you can do for this problem other than manage her life, really. She may need pain medications, and your veterinarian can advise you on that. If she seems comfortable, it may not be a problem that affects her, and she may be fine to live with that. For now, monitoring her to see what her comfort level is would be best.
Aug. 22, 2018
Was this experience helpful?
Bubu
Chow Chow
11 Months
Moderate severity
2 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
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.
Aug. 6, 2018
Bubu's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1611 Recommendations
If Bubu isn't getting better, you may want to see an orthopedic specialist to see what can be done for his condition. It sounds like it is affecting his life, and he is a very young dog. There are often solutions if things are treated early. Your veterinarian can refer you to a specialist.
Aug. 6, 2018
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Adon
Doberman Pinscher
5 Months
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
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.
Dec. 29, 2017
Adon's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1611 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Without seeing Adon, Im not able to comment on whether he may have an injury or a problem with his growing bones. It would be a good idea to see a veterinarian and have him examined, as he is a large breed dog, has a lot of growing to do, and you want to make sure that he isn't having developmental problems at this age, before his growing is finished.
Dec. 30, 2017
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Paris
Cavashi
17 Months
Mild severity
2 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
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.
Nov. 20, 2017
Paris' Owner
3320 Recommendations
Now this has been done, Paris may require other operations to correct the damage done from the first surgery; it would be wise to speak with an Orthopaedic Specialist and have them check Paris’ x-rays to see what their thoughts are. For the meantime, keep movement to a minimum and make sure she is comfortable. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 20, 2017
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Oliver, aka Ollie
Great Pyrenees
1 Year
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
We have a almost year old Great Pyrenees. At 8 weeks old he was attacked by our donkey and broke his left hind femur. He was in a cast and caged for almost 8 weeks after that. It was then we noticed that his right front carpal joint hyperextended. The vet told us he had developed rickets from being caged so long and we started a high calcium supplement, however it did not help. He is getting very large now and he is limping alot. It seems to hurt him worse now but he is the happiest and most playful dog/puppy. Would a carpal brace help him? I would imagine it is a degenerative issue because he has other issue due to poor breeding (a massive overbite).
Riley
potcake
11 Weeks
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Our 11 week old puppy just got home from the animal hospital for parvovirus treatment. I noticed that she now has carpal hyperextension, and she didn't have it before going in. It's only been 6 days that she's been gone. Could she have possibly developed this due to being very inactive and mostly laying down for almost 8 days, plus malnutrition from eating almost nothing for that period of time?
Lacey
Poodle
8 Months
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
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.
Bo
Border Collie
10 Years
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
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
Princess
Pit bull
8 Years
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
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.
Carpal Hyperextension Average Cost
From 493 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,500
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